How Bill Pomeroy is using the past to inspire the future of cancer care

William “Bill” Pomeroy’s passions are clear—he wants others to access and enjoy the benefits of health, knowledge, and a bright future. He wants to give back.

In 2004, Bill was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a fast-growing blood and bone marrow cancer. At the time of his diagnosis, it was difficult for older adults with blood cancers to access stem cell transplants, despite the median age of diagnosis being 68. Transplants were typically reserved for those age 35 and younger, and even when an older patient did receive one, the risk of complications and additional health problems was much higher.

But in May of 2005, Bill got the surprising news that he matched with a stem cell donor, and before he knew it, he was on his way to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for his stem cell transplant. Bill considers himself lucky to have both been eligible for treatment, and that a donor match was identified.

Bill’s transplant went smoothly, and although his path to recovery had some complications, he overcame them thanks to his patient-centered team at Dana-Farber, which he credits with his “re-birthday.” He is now 20 years cancer free.

“Thanks to the extraordinary care and expertise of my medical team, I faced my challenges with strength,” says Bill. “I can reflect now on how far we’ve come in advancing therapies and improving outcomes for patients like me.”

Bill couldn’t imagine that others like him were missing out on treatment options and advancements simply based on accessibility or age. Inspired by his own past and present experiences, he established the William G. Pomeroy Foundation® to support the future of blood cancer care.

Through the William G. Pomeroy Foundation and his personal giving, Bill generously supports Dana-Farber’s research, helping to make leaps and bounds toward more successful transplants with patients facing blood cancers.

“Over the past two decades, I have been proud to support Dana-Farber’s lifesaving mission through philanthropy,” Bill says. “Giving back is my way of ensuring that others receive the same opportunity I was so fortunate to experience, and to bring hope to patients facing some of life’s toughest challenges. None of us got to where we are on our own.”

Thanks to Bill’s efforts, Dana-Farber has extended stem cell transplants to people into their 70s and 80s and developed new ways of preparing people for transplants so they have better outcomes. Because access to treatment is so important to Bill, one of his recent gifts supports the work of Coleman Lindsley, MD, PhD, whose Stem Cell Donor Registry Study has the potential to redefine how donors are selected for transplant and increases accessibility of this lifesaving treatment.

The importance of the past for Bill is not just in the context of cancer care and research; he is also deeply passionate about United States history. As such, a second focus of the William G. Pomeroy Foundation’s mission is helping communities celebrate their history by fully funding grants for premium, cast-aluminum historical markers. Thanks to Bill’s vision and generosity, the William G. Pomeroy Foundation is the nation’s leading funder of historical markers through its array of grant programs—funding more than 2,700 markers across 49 states and Washington, D.C.

Bill shares his story with the hope of inspiring others to join him. “Giving back reaches far beyond ourselves. Every gift, large or small, helps shape a healthier, brighter future for all.”