When Will Francis was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in March 2020 at the age of 19 he was playing hockey for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs in the NCAA. Like most people he had never heard of a stem cell transplant let alone know that it would one day be the only option save his life.
After years of treatment, trips to the hospital, a relapse in 2023, blood and platelet transfusions and multiple rounds of chemotherapy doctors determined that his best chance for survival was a stem cell transplant from a matching donor. Only 25% of patients in need of a stem cell transplant will find a matching donor within their family, the other 75% will rely on a stranger to save their life.
Thankfully for Will his younger brother Luke was tested and deemed a 100% match.
Unsure of the process, Luke said he would do “whatever it takes” to save his brother’s life, including donating his stem cells by Peripheral IV. A safe and simple process that is very similar to donating blood. In fact, Luke donated his stem cells on a Friday and was back playing hockey on Monday.
This selfless act of kindness gave Will a second chance at life, an opportunity to ‘ring the bell’ and most recently play his first professional hockey game for the San Diego Gulls on April 14, 2025.
Will attributes the support and encouragement from his family, teammates and community to his recovery and now has a new appreciation for the life-saving role of blood and stem cell donors and helping others.
Learn more about becoming a donor at blood.ca/HGB
