According to a recent article, a man in Bar Harbor has the entire community behind him as he searches for a stem cell donor for himself and others battling cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas
Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are a group of disorders characterized by abnormal accumulation of malignant T-cells in the skin, which may result in the development of rashes, plaques, and tumors. CTCLs belong to a larger group of disorders known as non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHLs). Subdivisions of CTCLs include:
- Granulomatous slack skin
- Lymphomatoid papulosis
- Mycosis fungoides
- Pagetoid reticulosis (Woringer-Kolopp disease)
- Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphomas
- Sézary syndrome
- Subcutaneous panniculitic T-cell lymphoma
Symptoms:
The signs and symptoms of CTCLs vary depending on the type. Most patients with CTCL experience only skin symptoms without serious complications; however, approximately 10 percent of those who progress to later stages develop serious complications. The two most common types are mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome. Classic mycosis fungoides is divided into the following 3 stages:
- Patch (atrophic or nonatrophic): Nonspecific dermatitis, patches on lower buttocks
- Plaque: Intensely pruritic plaques, lymphadenopathy
- Tumor: Prone to ulceration
Sézary syndrome is defined by erythroderma and leukemia. Signs and symptoms include:
- Edematous skin
- Lymphadenopathy palmar and/or plantar hyperkeratosis
- Alopecia
- Nail dystrophy
- Ectropion hepatosplenomegaly may be present
Danny Dunn’s Story
Danny Dunn was diagnosed with cutaneous t-cell lymphoma back in 2017 after dealing with skin issues his entire life. He has since undergone a number of different treatments to no avail, and his lymphoma only got more aggressive. It was to the point that the cancer could spread to his other vital organs, so his doctor recommended the only curative treatment: a stem cell transplant.
However, Dunn has struggled to find a match for a transplant. This led him and his wife to try to encourage others to join the National Donor Registry. Together, they started a Facebook page called Swab4Danny that is dedicated to recommending people join the registry because it is a simple and easy thing that could potentially save someone’s life.
An Outpouring of Support
The Dunn’s have been overwhelmed by the amount of support their community has given to them. They have said hundreds of people have come to their aid, even people they do not know.
The couple is hoping that 2022 is a good year for them, with a baby on the way and Danny’s transplant estimated to occur around the summer if they are able to find a viable donor.
This influx of people joining the National Donor Registry is not only important for Danny Dunn, but the hundreds of other people who are looking for their matches too. The more people who join the registry, the more hope families have of finding a match.
In-Person Donor Drives
The Dunn’s have taken their efforts even another step farther by hosting a few in-person donor drives in March. This drive is to continue to look for a match for Danny and for others awaiting matches. The first of the drives will take place on March 8 at the Elks Lodge in Ellsworth, Maine, and the other will take place on March 12 at the same location.
To learn more about Danny’s journey and the drives, please visit https://www.facebook.com/swab4danny
