As part of Blood Cancer Awareness Month 2025, one Elbit America employee shares how acute myeloid leukemia impacted her family
Sept. 10, 2025
When her sister, Marnie, was diagnosed with cancer, life changed overnight for Elbit America employee Jill Pearson. As Marnie's sister, primary caregiver, medical power of attorney, and advocate, Jill walked alongside Marnie through every stage of the fight. But they didn't walk alone - Blood Cancer United was there each step of the way.
What began as a persistent cough and growing fatigue quickly became something nobody expected. When Jill’s sister, Marnie, walked into the emergency room one evening, they assumed it was pneumonia. By nightfall, the family received a diagnosis that would change everything: acute myeloid leukemia (AML) – a very aggressive blood cancer.
Overwhelmed and unsure where to turn, Jill did what most do – scoured the internet for answers.
“Your head is literally spinning trying to figure out next steps, and searching the internet for information is devastating and a cesspool of bad information,” Jill shared. “The night of Marnie’s AML diagnosis, I was frantically searching for the next right step when I finally decided to email Blood Cancer United (formerly The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) at 4:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning.”
To Jill’s surprise, she had a reply in her inbox by 7:30 a.m. that same morning from a woman named Beatrice at the Information Resource Center. Not just a generic reply, but a detailed one with information about the diagnosis, what could be expected, and personalized advice on next steps.
“Blood Cancer United made a meaningful difference by providing real-time information that helped us start this journey correctly from the onset,” Jill added. “They continued to support us throughout the process by being a trusted resource to help our family make informed decisions about Marnie’s care.”
Marnie’s courageous fight and lasting impact
During moments of profound challenge, some individuals rise in a way that touches everyone around them – and that’s just the kind of person Marnie was. Although very extroverted, Marnie also lived with Asperger’s, a form of autism. However, this never stopped her from making connections with those around her.
Throughout her treatment, Marnie became more than patient to the doctors, nurses and other staff members – she became a source of inspiration. Whether it was sharing her faith with a fellow patient or praying with a member of her care team, she had a way of lifting spirits and connecting with people, especially with children.
“Marnie had a special connection with children and could identify with any child and form a bond,” Jill shared. “She was especially close to my son, Bradley, who was in elementary school at the time of her passing.”
After three years of fighting and months of hospital stays, Marnie made the difficult decision to choose hospice care for her time left on Earth. Jill recalls her last day at the hospital as one of the most memorable and profound moments of Marnie’s journey.
“She literally had a line of hospital staff outside of her room waiting to say goodbye and tell her of the positive impact she made in their lives,” Jill explained. “From nurses and doctors to therapy workers and hospital clergy, in her special way, she left her indelible mark on them. I still keep in contact with a few of them to this day.”
Rooted in her faith, Jill shared that Marnie trusted in God’s plan, knowing that whatever happened next was indeed the journey she was meant to be on. After facing cancer with strength and grace, Marnie passed away in January of 2019. True to the incredibly giving person she was, she coordinated the donation of her body to the UT Southwestern research program to help study ways to end cancer. This action led Jill to continue honoring her sister’s passion to one day live in a world without cancer.
Turning grief into action
Though her sister passed away in 2019, Jill’s story didn’t end there. Jill found strength and purpose in supporting Blood Cancer United. What began as a way to honor her sister’s memory has grown into a heartfelt mission to help others facing the same fight. She continues to advocate, fundraise and volunteer – not just to keep her sister’s spirit alive, but to push for better research, more support for families and, ultimately, a cure. Her journey is a powerful reminder that even in loss, we can create change.
“You never think you or your family will be impacted, until you are,” Jill shared. “Curing blood cancers will pave the way for many other treatments and cures. For patients and families, Blood Cancer United is a lifeline in the fight for their lives. They were a true godsend during Marnie’s entire journey.”
Join Jill and countless others in standing up to blood cancer. Whether it’s participating in your local Light the Night walk, donating to Blood Cancer United to fund research, or supporting those impacted by cancer, every action brings us closer to a world without blood cancer.