Every reporter loves a story filled with drama and triumph. In 2000, Lance Williams, at the time an Emmy-winning reporter for Tampa Florida’s News Channel 8, got the story of his lifetime. Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Lance became the reluctant central figure in his own compelling drama.

Upon diagnosis, Lance, a father to two young children, learned that his only hope for survival would be a bone marrow transplant (BMT). His family launched a search through the National Marrow Donor Program, but it wasn’t until they reached the end of the list that a match was found, with an 18-year-old woman who had just registered.

While Lance began intensive treatment, his wife and brother-in-law traveled the country visiting renowned BMT programs to choose the finest care for Lance. Their search ended at City of Hope.

After chemotherapy and a brief remission, the leukemia returned in May 2001. By that time, the BMT became critical, yet in order for Lance to have the BMT, the leukemia would have to be brought back into remission. His physician in Florida administered a new drug, Gleevec, which had just been made available, although not yet FDA approved for use in treating ALL. Fortunately, the new drug proved effective and, in June 2001, Lance came to City of Hope and underwent a BMT.

Today, Lance is living a life renewed and devoted to his family. He has changed careers, finding success and deeper personal satisfaction in residential real estate. “I love to be my own boss and it is truly great fun to help people fulfill their dreams.”

In 2002, Lance’s serendipitous story was featured in a “Dateline NBC” segment titled “Miracle in Tampa.” “My recovery is God’s miracle. The story is not about me,” insists Lance. “It is really about the resilience of my wife Amy, the goodness of my donor, Erin Wiles, and God’s amazing providence that brought together in perfect timing science, human kindness and extraordinary institutions to heal.”