Mention the word donor to a chemist and it likely evokes images of an electron-rich species. Mention the word donor to Stefanie Sacknoff and it evokes images of a stranger who likely saved her life. Stefanie is the recipient of the American Chemical Society’s 2009 Overcoming Challenges Award sponsored by the Women Chemists Committee. This national award is given to a woman undergraduate who has demonstrated that she has overcome hardships in pursuit of her education. The award was presented to Stefanie at the WCC luncheon during the ACS National Meeting in Washington, D.C., in August.

Stephanie Sacknoff

Between her classes I had the opportunity to chat with Stefanie at the University of San Diego, where she is majoring in biochemistry. We were joined by Professor Tammy Dwyer, one of her mentors and the faculty member who nominated Stefanie for the ACS award, and Renate Valois, editor of The San Diego Chemist.

Stefanie’s energy and drive belie the challenges she has had to face and continues to face. When she was eight months old she was diagnosed with thrombocytopenia, a blood disorder characterized by an abnormally low platelet count. Shortly thereafter she developed aplastic anemia, an idiopathic disease marked by low white cell, red cell and platelet counts. It could easily have been a death sentence, as it was for Marie Curie (probably the result of exposure to radiation). At age eight Stefanie started weekly blood transfusions and later began self-injections of drugs to boost her cell count and immune system. The disease progressed to myelodysplastic syndrome, a bone marrow stem cell cancer. She and her mother, a dentist, traveled the country in search of clinical trials of experimental drugs to combat her illness.

To add insult to injury, Stefanie was diagnosed as being legally blind when she was eight years old. She has double vision and no peripheral vision. Now the good news! After searching for over 10 years, a bone marrow donor with a perfect match was found. The donor was a complete stranger, a 23-year-old nurse living in New York. The transplant, on Valentine’s Day 2007, was a success, and now Stefanie no longer needs blood transfusions. Well, there were a few other changes: along with her new immune system she now has a new blood type! And like her donor, she has a craving for coffee. She never did before the transplant!

Together with her mother, Stefanie has founded “Perfect Match”, a non-profit bone marrow donor project that aims at linking donors with recipients. Donor registration simply requires a cheek swab that can be taken at the dentist’s office. Stefanie also made a video for the San Diego Blood Bank. Her reason? She believes in “giving back”.

Today Stefanie is a vivacious young lady who modestly attributes her drive and situation to her faith in God (”God had a plan,” she said) and to her mother. And to USD! Prof. Dwyer mentioned that instructors print many of Stefanie’s class notes in 28-point type and that she pairs with another student in the lab. Her grades are “well above average” and, upon graduation next year, Stefanie has her sights set on medical training in pediatric oncology.

We congratulate Stefanie on her award, her perseverance, her positive outlook, and her accomplishments! We know that her story will continue to inspire those young people who must face life’s seemingly impossible challenges. Indeed, it is a story that should inspire us all.

-Bill Szabo

Public Relations Committee