Former Maine lawmaker battles leukemia and highlights need for bone marrow donors
Maggie O'Neil, a former Maine lawmaker, is battling acute myeloid leukemia and is seeking a bone marrow donor. If her brother is not a match, she will rely on the National Marrow Donor Program for an anonymous donor. O'Neil has undergone chemotherapy but needs a transplant to fully address her condition. Her father highlighted the need for more young donors, as only those under 40 can register, and many age out by 60. In 2023, over 31,000 Mainers were registered with the donor program, but matching remains challenging, especially for ethnically diverse patients. Recent advancements in treatment have improved outcomes for those with mismatched donors.