A 9/11 Survivor’s Triumph Over Leukemia & GVHD

Lew Christie, 83, is a survivor in every sense of the word. He witnessed the 9/11 attacks from his New York City office, and eleven years later, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). He also experienced complications after two bone marrow transplants, resulting in a diagnosis of graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD). Despite this adversity, Lew maintains a positive outlook on life and hopes his story of resilience will inspire others.

Memories from 9/11

Lew worked as an information systems manager at the Internal Revenue Service for 38 years, with his office just a block away from the World Trade Center (WTC). He vividly remembers September 11, 2001, recalling the first plane hitting the North Tower from his office window. He watched in horror as a blizzard of paper descended from the sky. Lew and his coworkers were quickly evacuated. Walking out into the street, he was met with the horrifying sight of the towers ablaze.

The events of 9/11 remain etched in Lew’s memory.

Lew’s journey with AML and GVHD

Years later, Lew was diagnosed with AML, which is considered one of the recognized WTC-related health conditions.

After his AML diagnosis, Lew received devastating news from two oncologists: he had only a year to live. They advised him to travel and make the most of his remaining time. Determined to fight, Lew sought a second opinion. He consulted with a doctor who recommended a bone marrow transplant to prolong his life, which Lew courageously underwent.

Lew’s first transplant, from an unknown donor, failed after six months. He then received a second transplant from his youngest daughter, which was successful.

About three months after his second transplant, Lew’s health took another turn. He began experiencing severe and debilitating symptoms, including rashes all over his body, difficulty walking, fainting spells that led to falls, persistent coughing and dry mouth. This led to a diagnosis of GVHD, a common complication that can occur after a bone marrow transplant. With GVHD, the donor cells attack the patient’s tissue and organs, leading to chronic and painful symptoms.

Lew is not alone in this fight. About 5,000 people develop chronic GVHD each year.

With the support of his healthcare team, Lew has been able to manage his symptoms and everyday life with GVHD.

Leaning on his support system

At first, the severity of Lew’s health challenges left him feeling confined to his home. However, with the support of loved ones, he shifted his focus towards prioritizing his health and embracing the future. Together, he and his wife renovated their home, bought a car, and adopted a renewed perspective on life and the possibilities that lay ahead.

Lew attributes his positive outlook to his family’s unwavering support and his desire to leave a lasting legacy. "My health challenges have changed my perspective on life. I think more about my legacy and my family now."