As many in our community already know, my longtime and very dear friend, Charlotte Stackpole, was diagnosed with cancer at the end of 2024. Just over a month ago, her daughter, Corinne, was also diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Both are currently undergoing chemotherapy, with the hope of achieving a full recovery. Due to a genetic mutation, Corinne will ultimately require a bone marrow/stem cell transplant to complete her treatment and, hopefully, enter full remission.
While both Charlotte and Corinne are receiving exceptional care — and there is much reason to remain optimistic about their prognoses — the financial burden associated with their concurrent treatments is significant.
In addition to medical expenses, Corinne is receiving treatment at the hospital where she was first diagnosed, located in San Diego, where she attends the University of San Diego (USD). Mark and Charlotte have been alternating visits to remain by her side — missing work, and regularly traveling to Southern California — so that Corinne is never alone during her treatment and recovery.
The Stackpole family is a vibrant and resilient one. I’d also like to acknowledge their two sons: Lucas, a college baseball player who just completed his second year at Mount St. Mary’s University in New York, and Christopher, who recently graduated from Sierra High School amidst all of this.
All funds raised will go toward medical bills, travel expenses (gas and airfare), and the occasional treat, like a Jamba Juice. Any additional donations will be contributed to reputable charities supporting leukemia and bone marrow/stem cell research.
If you’ve read this far, there are two additional things I’d like to share.
First, the importance of stem cell donation cannot be overstated. There are countless individuals currently waiting for a match — someone like you could be their best hope for a cure. Joining the blood stem cell registry through the NMDP (formerly the National Marrow Donor Program and Be The Match) is easy and free. Request a swab kit and take a few minutes to potentially give someone a lifetime.
Learn more or request your kit here:
Lastly, you can follow Corinne’s journey on CaringBridge, where updates are lovingly written by her father, Mark Stackpole. His gift for storytelling captures the heart and soul of their experience.
Follow along here: