It isn’t sunburn; it’s GVHD!

The photo in the post was taken in the Maldives in November 2023, just nine months after my second blood stem cell transplant.

My immune system was still recovering, and I traveled against medical advice.

The fear of another lymphoma relapse made me willing to take risks to enjoy life with my family while I still could.

My face looks reddish in the photo. It might look like a sunburn, but it isn’t. It is graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)—when the donor’s immune cells attack the recipient’s body. I had a mild case that affected my skin for about a year.

For me, it wasn’t too bad. I was lucky because severe GVHD can be life-threatening.

Why do some stem cell transplant recipients experience mild GVHD while others die of it?

I founded Immunomatics to develop better ways to estimate donor-recipient compatibility and GVHD risk before transplantation, with the goal of helping doctors optimize donor selection and improve patient outcomes.

My kids are my size now—back then I wasn’t sure I’d live to see. With immense relief, I remain cancer-free.

That day, my wife was behind the camera, but beside me all along this journey: from my years as a scientist, through my experience as a patient, and now as I build Immunomatics.

Join our community of supporters and investors helping us build a safer future for transplant patients. Learn more about Immunomatics and our equity crowdfunding campaign at the link below:
wefunder.com/immunomatics

Thank you!

Lidio Meireles, PhD
Scientist and Transplant Survivor
Founder & CEO, Immunomatics, Inc.