Abbigail Hoerbert, a 2023 graduate of Illinois State University, joined the national stem cell registry in August and became a match for a patient just four months later, according to a May 22 announcement. The recipient was Jamie (Huffman) Gunn, another Illinois State alumna who was battling acute myeloid leukemia.
The story highlights the importance of joining the stem cell registry and how unlikely connections can lead to lifesaving outcomes. Acute myeloid leukemia accounts for about one percent of all cancers, with nearly 22,000 adults diagnosed annually in the United States and half expected to die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.
Hoerbert initially ignored the call notifying her she was a match but responded after hearing a voicemail. She said she did not tell anyone at first because she was nervous and unsure what to expect. After undergoing five days of injections to boost her stem cell production, Hoerbert traveled to Houston for the donation process.
Gunn’s diagnosis came after routine blood work revealed abnormal results following a bout with COVID-19 symptoms. Her doctor told her that without treatment she would have only two months left. She chose aggressive chemotherapy but needed a stem cell transplant as her only chance for long-term survival. “I had the very incredible blessing of having a young girl a few states away decide to sign up to be a donor for a complete stranger,” Gunn said.
After Hoerbert’s donation on March 11 in Houston, Gunn received her transplant and began recovery. Despite complications such as graft-versus-host disease and ongoing fatigue, Gunn found meaning during recovery: “I had joy while I was literally fighting for my life… I got to keep living, and it’s all because of Abbigail,” she said.
The two women discovered they shared more than biology—they both grew up in Illinois farming communities within 100 miles of each other and attended Illinois State University at overlapping times. Their connection also included quirks like new allergies following transplantation.
Both hope their story will inspire others—especially people from diverse backgrounds—to join registries like that maintained by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). There are approximately nine million potential donors in the U.S., but matches are less likely for patients from underrepresented groups due to lack of diversity among registered donors.
The Illinois State Department of Agriculture specializes in agricultural education and research; it provides academic programs such as agribusiness, animal science, horticulture; supports community engagement through student activities; utilizes its University Farm near Lexington for teaching and outreach; functions as part of Illinois State University; emphasizes delivering educational experiences while sharing agricultural knowledge with the public—all according to the official website.
