Gift of Life has many incredible relationships, but our partnership with the Annietober 365 Foundation is especially meaningful to everyone at our organization. Annie Eisner, the inspiration for the foundation, not only served as a Campus Ambassador at Syracuse University, but she was also a two-time transplant recipient. Although she lost her battle in 2023, her parents, Jodi and Andrew Eisner, work tirelessly to ensure that Annie’s legacy continues and benefits other patients in need of stem cell or marrow transplants.

The Second Annual Annietober Golf Classic was held on June 29 at the beautiful Cedar Hill Country Club in Livingston, N.J.  More than 240 participated in the event, which also included mahjong and canasta for the non-golfers.

Alex Gonzalez (l), Gift of LIfe's Development Community Engagement Manager, accepts a check for $12,000 from the Annietober 365 Foundation, presented by Andrew Eisner.

During the ceremony, Jodi and Andrew presented a check for $12,000 to Gift of Life’s Development Community Engagement Manager Alex Gonzalez (above, left). The funds will process swab kits to add new donors to the registry, giving more patients the chance of finding that rare person: a donor who matches the tissue type they need for a successful transplant.

“You have often heard me say that joining the registry is safe, simple, and free of charge,” said Jodi. “But that does not mean it is without cost: the lab processing of every swab kit costs $60 to add donors to the registry. There are 200 people here today, so for each of you, we are covering the cost of adding 200 donors to the registry.”

Since 2023, the Annietober 365 Foundation has helped to add more than 14,000 new donors to the registry, resulting in 244 potential matches and 9 completed stem cell and marrow transplants – giving patients their best chance of a cure.

(l-r) Stem cell transpant recipient Katelyn Edmonston, Jodi Eisner of the Annietober 365 Foundation, and Gift of Life stem cell donor Sophie Tomov.

During the most exciting moment of the day, Jodi welcomed leukemia survivor Katelyn Edmonston to the stage to meet her lifesaving stem cell donor Sophie Tomov for the first time. The two women are close in age, 25 and 21 respectively, and their heartwarming introduction was marked by tears of joy, hugs, laughter, and huge smiles. 

“It’s crazy that I’m even standing here,” said Katelyn. “If it wasn’t for Sophie being on the registry, I wouldn’t be here right now, and that is so surreal. I am so thankful for everyone who is on the registry helping to save lives like mine.”

Katelyn was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in 2022 after experiencing a variety of symptoms for months, such as nosebleeds, rashes, and being easily fatigued. When a particularly bad migraine and vomiting sent her to the emergency room, she was shocked to be almost immediately moved upstairs to the oncology unit.

“I was completely blindsided,” said Katelyn. “I didn’t even understand what was happening. I was 21, had a healthy lifestyle, and was only two weeks into my master’s program. When the doctors strongly recommended moving forward with a stem cell transplant, I was relieved the option existed. It gave me real hope to know there was a path forward and I could beat AML for good.”

While Katelyn was going through treatment in Minnesota, Sophie was attending Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania. In early 2024, she attended a drive run by Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity (ZBT), a community partner of Gift of Life’s, and decided to join the registry.

“I was running to class and almost didn’t swab because I was already so late, but I decided Gift of Life’s mission was too important to pass by,” said Sophie. “This is such a human thing to do, to put yourself out there and say, ‘I am willing to help a stranger,’ and I am thrilled to be part of this community.”

A few months later, Sophie was driving home after helping her brother move to a new apartment when she got a call from Gift of Life: she was a match for a woman with AML and was asked if she would agree to go to the next step. 

“I felt so ready to engage with the whole experience, and fortunate to be in a position to help someone,” said Sophie. “I was thinking this recipient, whom I knew nothing about, was the same age as my big brother.”

Sophie’s donation went smoothly, and so did the transplant. Not only was Katelyn cured of leukemia, but she was also able to graduate from college, pursue her career, spend time with her family, and dream of what’s next. Sophie’s stem cells also cured her allergy to tropical fruits, so she can now eat pineapples, mangoes, and kiwis.

“I’m so sorry, Katie, but I have to tell you I’m allergic to tomatoes so it’s likely you have that, too, now,” said Sophie. “It is understated how incredible this journey Katie has taken is, how hard that fight was, and how much work went into it. I’m starting a career in science and learned it is only eight little molecules that make the transplant match possible. These inherited factors are what makes it possible for this unlikely miracle to happen. They don’t happen every day, but Gift of Life works hard to raise the likelihood that these miracles will occur.” 

“This is exactly what all our work is for,” added Jodi. “That little blue Gift of Life envelope holds more than just cheek swabs – it holds the power of human connection.” 

Sophie is 22 years old and a resident of Philadelphia, Pa., where she attends Muhlenberg College. She loves to watch movies, make art, go thrifting, and play Dungeons and Dragons with her friends. 

Katelyn, 25, lives in Minneapolis, Minn., where she plans to become an elementary school teacher. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. She loves to spend time in nature, crocheting and drawing, and has started her own cancer awareness sticker business, which has been a meaningful way to connect with the community. She also enjoys playing video games with her friends.