Transplant Type - Bone Marrow

We are so sorry to report that Ilene passed away in February 2010 after a long battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Our hearts go out to her family and friends during this difficult time.

Ilene was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2007, and she bravely endured aggressive treatments for her cancer. She was scheduled to undergo a bone marrow transplant in hopes that her disease would finally be cured, but complications from her illness prevented the treatment.

Though Ilene enjoyed a successful legal career, she found it didn't compare to the joys of motherhood. She and her husband, Tom, welcomed their first son in 2003, and Ilene gave up her career to become a full-time mother. Ilene and Tom enjoyed parenthood immensely, and their second son was born in early 2005. Unfortunately, he was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, commonly known as brittle bone disease. Within the first two months of his life, he suffered six fractures.

The McBride family coped well, despite the difficulties of their youngest son's life, and by 2006, they had settled into a comfortable routine. Soon, their lives were once again interrupted by unwanted news as Ilene received her diagnosis.

Although Ilene knew she faced a battle, she remained determined to take on her sickness in the same way she handled the rest of her life--with spirit, courage, hope and faith. She looked forward to continuing on her quest of fundraising to help find a cure for her son's OI disorder.

Now, her family needs your help.

Even with health insurance, Ilene's family faces significant medical expenses related to her transplant evaluations, medical care, medications and travel expenses.

You can help.
You can help. Your gift to the NFT Massachusetts Bone Marrow Fund will enable NFT to assist Ilene's family with the soaring expenses. To make an online donation, please click on the link beneath her photo. If you prefer to mail your gift, please send it to NFT Massachusetts BMT Fund, 5350 Poplar Ave., Suite 430, Memphis, TN 38119. Please be sure to write "in memory of Ilene McBride" in the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity!

Patient Health Institute: Massachusetts General Hospital