OKLAHOMA, USA — When an Oklahoma woman went to donate blood to Our Blood Institute (OBI) in 2022, she didn't think her life would change so drastically following that visit.
According to OBI, Jennifer and her husband Tony Cotto went to donate platelets to their local donating center.
Jennifer describes being hooked up to a machine when it reported an error. The machine was reset and restarted, but the error showed up again.
When Jennifer's platelet donation went through testing, then to OBI Associate Medical Director Dr. Michael Stevenson, the results he received, concerned him. This led Dr. Stevenson to get in touch with Jennifer directly.
“He recommended I go see my doctor for further evaluation and another CBC to confirm,” Jennifer said.
“And he was pretty urgent about it too. ‘Do it today if you can,’” Tony added.
Two weeks later, Jennifer was diagnosed with cancer.
“You think the worst. Is it the very aggressive form? How far along is it? What is the treatment gonna be? All that. And oh, by the way, I might lose her. I wasn’t happy about that, of course. You know, it was pretty trying,” said Tony.
The type of cancer Jennifer had been diagnosed with was chronic myeloid leukemia. OBI said this type of cancer "starts in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow and invades the blood."
More than one year later, and with treatment underway, Jennifer said she's feeling good.
“I’m feeling good overall. I do have anemia, which is a side effect of the disease and in combination with the treatment. A little tired but nothing serious,” said Jennifer.
Despite her journey, the Cottos said they are not holding back from any plans. They are currently planning to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary in Hawaii this October.
Jennifer said had she not made the decision to donate platelets, she's not sure how long it would have been before she would have found out she had cancer. She said she is thankful to OBI and Dr. Stevenson.
"I said this in a text message to Dr. Stevenson after my diagnosis. I said, ‘What you do is important. You help the people who are sick. You also help the people like me who thought they were not sick get that kind of diagnosis early,’” said Jennifer.
“Thanks for saving my wife,” Tony added.
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