Taking on one of the deadliest bone marrow transplant side effects: Graft-versus-Host Disease
We are honored to create this much-needed project focused on a devastating side effect that many childhood cancer patients face. The study is being funded in loving memory of Jack Paul, whose determination continues to inspire us.
What is Graft-versus-Host Disease?
Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD) is a serious complication that can occur after a bone marrow or stem cell transplant. It occurs when the transplanted donor immune cells (the graft) attack the recipient’s body’s tissues (the host). The symptoms can be truly horrific for young cancer patients. And sadly, as in the case of the Paul family’s incredible young son Jack, can even prove fatal.
Jack’s Story
At 16 years old, Jack woke up with terrible pains in his hips. Thinking it was just growing pains, his parents gave him over-the-counter pain medications. It seemed to help as the pain subsided.
Two weeks later, the pain was back and this time they took Jack to the pediatrician, who sent them to Children’s Hospital Colorado for a blood test. That’s where their oncologist broke the news — Jack had leukemia. “Our world stopped,” said Daniel Paul, Jack’s Dad. “Jack’s response was a simple ‘That sucks!’”
Jack was immediately admitted to the hospital and began the long road fighting this horrible disease. For 5 1/2 years, Jack battled like a superstar and did everything that was asked of him. He endured multiple rounds of chemotherapy, CAR-T immunotherapy (twice), and ultimately a bone marrow transplant. He had every side effect the doctors warned about, yet he approached everything with his can-do attitude. He was determined to beat cancer.
But one complication – graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) – was impossible for the treatments available at the time to overcome. Jack passed away surrounded by his loving family on February 16, 2024.
About the Study
Dr. Michelle Schoettler, Dr. Muna Qayed, and Dr. Satheesh Chonat, pediatric oncologists at Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, are leading a multi-year study to investigate why GvHD becomes especially severe in some children – and why those who develop an additional related complication face even worse outcomes.
Their work focuses on a part of the immune system that, when overactive, can trigger dangerous inflammation and tissue injury. By studying this mechanism, the team hopes to identify early markers to predict which children are at risk – and develop new therapies to stop GvHD before it starts.
Want to learn more about the science behind this and other studies you’re helping to fund?
Research Friday
Honoring Jack’s Wish: Funding Research to Stop Bone Marrow Transplant Complications
Together, we’re taking on one of the deadliest bone marrow translplant side effects
For nearly 25 years, The Morgan Adams Foundation has funded innovative kids’ cancer research across the U.S. and around the world. Our mission is simple but urgent: to improve treatment effectiveness, survival rates, and quality of life for kids, teens, and young adults with cancer – while minimizing the devastating side effects of today’s therapies.
This new research project represents that mission in action – and it’s being funded in loving memory of Jack Paul, whose determination continues to inspire us.
At 16, Jack was diagnosed with leukemia. Over nearly six years, he endured countless rounds of chemotherapy, two CAR-T treatments, and ultimately a bone marrow transplant. Through it all, he faced every obstacle with humor, courage, and his signature “can-do” attitude. But one complication – graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) – was impossible for the treatments available at the time to overcome.
When donor immune cells attack healthy tissues, GVHD can become life-threatening. Jack showed immense courage until the very end, passing away in February 2024 surrounded by his loving family. Before he died, Jack made a simple request: that memorial gifts be designated to The Morgan Adams Foundation to fund research that could spare other families the same pain.
Jack’s family is honoring that wish by partnering with MAF to fund groundbreaking new research that seeks to understand and prevent GVHD after a bone marrow transplant.
Dr. Michelle Schoettler, Dr. Muna Qayed, and Dr. Satheesh Chonat at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta are leading a multi-year study to investigate why GVHD becomes especially severe in some children – and why those who develop a related complication called transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) face even worse outcomes.
Their work focuses on complement activation, a part of the immune system that, when overactive, can trigger dangerous inflammation and tissue injury. By studying this mechanism, the team hopes to identify early biomarkers to predict which children are at risk – and develop new therapies to stop GVHD before it starts.
"When a family like Jack’s turns their loss into hope for others, it gives our work a deeper meaning,” said Dr. Schoettler. “This project doesn’t just advance science – it honors a young man’s courage and helps us move closer to preventing the complications that take too many children too soon.”
This project honors Jack and his wish to make a difference for others.
Why This Matters
Every child deserves a cure – and a future free from the complications of treatment. GVHD remains one of the most serious and deadly risks after bone marrow transplant, and research like this is essential to protect kids who have already fought so hard to survive cancer.
By supporting this work, you are helping researchers move one step closer to that future – a world where no family loses a child to cancer or its side effects.
Together, we can make Jack’s wish a reality.