Back to Blood Recipient Stories

Happily Ever After

Christine Bohannon

Ask any bride preparing for her wedding and she’ll tell you of the multitude of “to-dos” before the “I do.” Preparing for the perfect day is arduous – finding “the” dress, arranging flowers, planning the guest seating chart and anticipating the relaxing honeymoon. For Christine Bohannon of Webster, N.Y., her lists of “to-dos” before her July 2006 wedding included one extra task every three weeks – receiving gamma globulin infusions to treat a genetic blood disorder.

When Christine was 24-years-old she was diagnosed with common variable immunodeficiency after five months of hospitals tests for what she initially thought was the flu. Common variable immunodeficiency is a disorder in which part of the immune system does not properly function. It is a rare disorder that appears in adulthood and leaves the patient vulnerable to other diseases.

To treat her illness, Christine needs to receive gamma globulin infusions every three weeks for the rest of her life. Gamma globulin is a protein derived from plasma, which is taken from a whole blood donation, and it takes approximately 1,000 blood donations to create the amount necessary for just one of Christine’s infusions. In addition to her regular infusions, she underwent months of chemotherapy treatment. Due to complications with her disease, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2005. She comments that she has a “few more doctors appointments than most 28-year-olds, but more of an appreciation for life overall.”

As long as she receives the transfusions she her health remains good and she can live her life – teaching math at Webster Thomas High School, playing tennis, bike riding and most recently – getting married. The week prior to her wedding, she became ill as she had in the past. But, thanks to her regular infusions she was able to say her vows standing at the altar, dance the night away at her reception, and enjoy a romantic honeymoon in Italy.

Christine credits her husband Brian for helping to maintain her well-being. He has supported her through her infusions, staying by her side in the hospital and always encouraging her. She also credits thousands of anonymous blood donors for keeping her healthy. “Since I go every three weeks for infusions, every donor counts greatly,” Christine says. “Because of donors, I am able to work full-time, live a fairly active life and look forward to possibly having a family with my new husband.”

Her story has inspired many of her students, fellow faculty members and neighbors to donate blood to ensure a healthy blood supply for her and others needing blood. Christine is grateful for the support she receives and glad that her students are active in raising awareness for the need for blood, saying, “Every new day brings activities that would not otherwise be possible if it weren’t for the many people that donate.”