In an emotional reunion, Jeff Lanham embraced Anja Jehnes-Inanli for the first time in eight years at the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. The moment, filled with tears, was a testament to the extraordinary bond between a cancer survivor and the woman whose bone marrow donation saved his life.
Jeff, a Virginia resident, has been battling polycythemia vera, a chronic blood cancer, for nearly two decades. Anja, from Germany, donated her bone marrow to Jeff in 2016, giving him a new chance at life. The emotional meeting, which also included their families and the care team, underscored the powerful connections formed through this life-saving gift.
“It’s overwhelming to meet the person who saved your life,” Jeff shared, reflecting on the profound gratitude he felt for Anja. “The fact that she did this for a complete stranger is hard to fully grasp.”
Jeff’s journey with cancer began in 2002 when he woke up with swollen legs. Blood tests revealed thick blood, and he was diagnosed with polycythemia vera. This chronic cancer causes excessive red blood cell production, and while it’s incurable, it can often be managed for years. After 13 years of treatment, his condition worsened, and in 2015, doctors determined that the disease had evolved into myelofibrosis, a rare cancer where scar tissue forms in the bone marrow, hindering the production of blood cells.
Jeff was advised to undergo a bone marrow transplant, which involves replacing unhealthy stem cells with healthy ones. This was a crucial step, as myelofibrosis is difficult to treat, especially once it has progressed. Dr. Harold Chung, a Massey oncologist, was part of the team that treated Jeff, recognizing the urgency for a transplant.
At the time, Jeff’s daughter Grace was just 11, and he hoped to continue his treatment long enough to see her through college. However, his declining health led him to opt for a transplant at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“I felt like the team at Massey really looked out for me,” Jeff said, noting the center’s exceptional care.
VCU Massey, Virginia’s first bone marrow transplant unit, has been a leader in treating blood and bone marrow disorders since 1988. Jeff and his wife, Jane, were immediately impressed by the collaborative and thorough care provided by the center’s staff.
While Jeff’s transplant was initially successful, his health fluctuated over the following years. His spleen became enlarged, affecting his recovery, and he suffered a brain bleed, requiring emergency surgery. Shortly after, his spleen was removed, but surgery revealed that Jeff also had melanoma, which had spread to his lymph nodes. This led to additional surgeries, radiation, and immunotherapy.
Despite these challenges, Jeff and his family were grateful for the unwavering support they received at VCU.
“It’s the caring network that makes all the difference. We’ve always felt like part of the VCU family,” Jane said.
In the U.S., patients must wait a year after a transplant before contacting their bone marrow donor. However, since Jeff’s donor lived in Germany, they had to wait two years. When the time finally came, the two began exchanging letters and emails, sharing updates and even pictures of their pets.
Anja had been on the donor registry for only a year before she received the call to donate her bone marrow to Jeff. “It was just the right thing to do,” she said, recalling the process of donating across continents. “It’s crazy that this works from Germany to Richmond.”
After years of correspondence, Jeff and Anja met in person for the first time. Anja, her husband Serkan, and their son Niklas were visiting the U.S. and stopped in Richmond to meet Jeff and his family.
“I was nervous but so excited,” Anja said, her smile evident. “It’s amazing to finally meet face-to-face.”
For Jeff, meeting Anja was an emotional experience. “It’s different when you meet someone in person who has made such a life-altering commitment for you,” he said.
The reunion took place in the very place where Jeff’s journey began—VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. It was a poignant moment for Jeff’s care team, including Dr. Chung, who was preparing for his retirement after 28 years in medicine.
“Meeting the donor is a rare gift,” Dr. Chung said, noting that such reunions are uncommon, especially when the donor lives overseas. “These donors are selfless, helping others out of the goodness of their hearts. I’m always deeply impressed.”
The reunion was especially meaningful for Grace, who had grown up with her father’s health struggles. Now 21 and a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Grace was also part of this memorable day.
