In a quiet, quant suburban neighborhood in southern Indiana, my parents, Brad and Lea Ann Curry were living their American dream. The young, successful newly wed models were living comfortably and expecting there first child, In January, 1985. Little did they know that they were about to encounter the toughest journey they would ever face. For them on a day that parents dream of, a day that is supposed to be filled with smiles and happiness, soon turned into a day of sadness, confusion and fear. I was born with a fatal blood disorder called Fanconis Anemia and without a bone marrow transplant from a perfect HLA match, I would likely die before the age of ten. Despite many odds and controversy my parents decided to conceive another child to save my life. Two years later my sister Audrey was born, she was perfectly healthy, but was not a match. On their third attempt my sister Emily was born, she was healthy and best of all she was a perfect HLA match. On the day of her birth the delivery room was filled with thirteen doctors, who had all come to witness what would soon save my life and change the medical field forever. Instead of being discarded as medical waste Emily’s cord blood was saved and frozen to be used for my future transplant., one of the very first transplants of its kind!
At the time this procedure was so revolutionary, that the use of cord blood for transplantation had not yet been approved by the FDA. In 1989 because of higher success rates with transplants of this kind we moved from our small town in southern Indiana to Paris France. Three months later after an extremely successful transplant we went home! With the exception of many doctors visits and numerous surgeries I had a very normal Childhood. I attended school, made good grades played sports and had lots of friends. I found a passion for performing and began dancing competitively and coaching younger dancers. I was extremely lucky to be alive and always understood that any day could be the last.

In 2001 we were was faced with another obstacle, I was diagnosed with kidney failure. Frightened but optimistic I was determined not to let this challenge take over my life. Since I had the cord blood transplant, I had a perfect match in Emily. Without hesitation she selflessly offered to donate, however, she was only fourteen and could not donate until of legal age. With dialysis as my only alternative my family and I were prepared to once again travel abroad to allow Emily to save my life. Luckily with many medications and careful observation my health was stabilized. In 2006 right after Emily turned eighteen and my health worsening we began a tearful, heart wrenching preparation with our entire family by our sides. Emily was wheeled away to the operating room first. I couldn’t stand the sight, and chased her down the hall crying to give her one last hug; demanding that I go first. After several complications in the operating room and a very rough recovery after a coma, I was given a third chance at life! Since Emily and I share the the same exact type of blood it is unlikely that my body will reject my new kidney! Contrary to most transplant recipients I do not have to take the drugs associated with transplantation. In August 2008 two short years after the transplant I fulfilled one of my life long dreams and moved to New York City.

I am now working on making my biggest dream into a realty, to publish a book about our story, raise awareness and inspire others to live life to its fullest!