Patti’s doctors at Dana Farber Cancer Institute offered hopeful news. 85% of the patients with this type of lymphoma went into remission. The odds were not in Patti’s favor and within a month after completing her last chemo treatment she relapsed. Her healthcare team offered a daunting second step – an autologous stem cell transplant using Patti’s own stem cells. In May 2000, she received radiation twice a day followed by high dose chemotherapy at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The chemo destroyed Patti’s bone marrow leaving her highly susceptible to life-threatening infection. Patti’s previously donated stem cells were returned intravenously and began reestablishing her immune system. She remained hospitalized in a sterile hospital room for 19 days.

Patti recovered quickly yet cautiously once home in Braintree, Massachusetts. Wary of her fragile immune system, Patti watched what she ate and who she came in contact with. She gradually returned to her former life with a new perspective. By the Fall of 2000, Patti was back -- caring for her family, volunteering in the community and working as a marketing communications consultant. In January 2001, the DiBonas celebrated Patti’s return to health with a Disney cruise.

The spirit of Disney struck a chord with Patti who returned to the Magic Kingdom in 2003 and completed a 26.2 marathon for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, raising $12,000. She has continued to reach out to cancer patients. She offers a survivor’s perspective at Dana Farber’s monthly Stem Cell Education meetings and speaks regularly with newly diagnosed cancer patients and their families.

Today at 43, Patti continues to live a healthy and happy cancer-free life. She is pleased to be the inspiration for Sandy Centorino’s Curechief Foundation and proud of her lifelong friend Sandy. "Sandy has always had a big heart, big ideas and boundless energy," says Patti. "The Curechief Foundation is proof that this combination brings remarkable results. Congratulations, Sandy!"