The happy guy in my profile picture is my husband Brian, and he's one of the many reasons I walk for Wellness House. But he's not the only one - I also walk for my mom, my grandmother, my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law and the countless other family members and friends whose lives have been touched by cancer.

In 2018, our world shifted when Brian was diagnosed with Myelofibrosis. We call him "Iron Bri" among family and friends, originally because he completed an Ironman race, but now the nickname has taken on new meaning as he successfully completed a stem cell transplant in the summer of 2024.

The journey began unexpectedly during a routine blood draw. Brian was completely asymptomatic at the time, which was both shocking and a blessing in disguise. This early detection allowed us to assemble an exceptional medical team at Northwestern Hospital, led by oncologist Dr. Brady Stein and transplant specialist Dr. Jayesh Mehta. They monitored Brian's health meticulously, guiding us through each step of the process and determining the optimal timing for transplant.

We were incredibly fortunate that Brian's younger brother Adam was a perfect match as a donor. In 2020, doctors harvested Adam's stem cells and preserved them until they would be needed. Thanks to the outstanding care Brian received, he remained healthy enough to delay the transplant until summer 2024.

This year's walk for Wellness House marks a special milestone - it will be Brian's first race since his transplant. What makes it even more meaningful is that he'll be joined by Adam, his brother and stem cell donor, along with myself and other family members and friends who have supported us throughout this journey.

My connection to Wellness House extends beyond our family's cancer journey - I'm proud to serve as a meditation and art instructor there. Through teaching these classes, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of creative expression and mindfulness for those affected by cancer.