Mushtaque Jivani was just a college student when he heard the awful news: He was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. It was 1976 and at that time his diagnosis was a death sentence. His physician actually told him to prepare for his impending death.

Mushtaque’s first doctor told him he was going to die. 33 years later his is celebrating life with City of Hope.

Mushtaque was overjoyed to be admitted to City of Hope — but his outlook was still very dark. Bone marrow transplants were risky procedures at the time. Success was far from guaranteed.

Thankfully, Mushtaque’s treatment was a success. His body accepted the transplant and began producing healthy blood cells. He was City of Hope’s first survivor of a bone marrow transplant.

One year later, Mushtaque came back to City of Hope for a small celebration with his family, friends and City of Hope staff. Today he’s an inspiration to thousands at the annual BMT patient reunions. And in his free time he does yoga and trains for marathons — enjoying the active lifestyle that seemed impossible when he was first diagnosed. And he loves to inspire others.

Mushtaque says, “Families look at me and say, ‘See? There is life after a transplant!’ It’s the most exciting thing for me to be able to give them hope!”