“I went to my doctor for a routine physical and he told me I was sick. That’s the last time I’ll ever go to the doctor when I’m feeling fine,” jokes 74-year-old Julius Dix, recounting the moment in 1987 when he was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a progressive disease of the bone marrow. His prognosis was poor. “My doctor said maybe I had three years to live,” he recalls.

But Julius, a successful lawyer who lives an active life, was not about to let a life-expectancy estimate from one physician become his life sentence. Over the next 10 years, as he received treatment for the disease, he and his wife Laurie traveled across the country visiting every medical center and university where research was being conducted in hope of finding the most advanced medicine. Their search eventually led them to City of Hope.

By the time Julius came to City of Hope he was in an advanced stage of his disease and his only hope for survival was a bone marrow transplant (BMT). However, a standard BMT was not a viable option as it is too debilitating for someone of Julius’ age. But his timing was fortunate. City of Hope was leading the development of a new procedure called a nonmyeolablative stem cell transplant, or “mini-transplant,” which was being developed especially for individuals who might not otherwise withstand a BMT.

Dr. Forman believed Julius was a good candidate for the new procedure. Although Julius had no donor matches in his own family, a search through the National Marrow Donor Program identified over 80 potential donors. A donor in Sweden was selected and in May 2000, Julius underwent the mini BMT.

Five years later, Julius is enjoying remarkably good health, maintaining an active life and enjoying international travel. With gratitude for City of Hope’s commitment to scientific advancement, Julius is especially pleased that he and his wife Laurie have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends on January 21, 2006.