Lost 100 Pounds and Became His Brother's Transplant Donor

Submitted by Walter "Jason" U. from Agriculture

Recently, I had the honor of being a stem cell donor for my brother. The experience was deeply humbling, especially spending time with cancer patients and their families at the Hope Lodge in Nashville. Thankfully, my stem cell collection went smoothly. My brother received the transplant and is leukemia-free at this time.  

This journey has inspired me to prioritize my health more than ever as I realize how important it was for enabling me to help my brother.

Reflecting on this, I recognize that five years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to undergo this procedure due to poor health. The road to better health wasn’t easy, but I embraced the challenge.

I transformed my lifestyle by changing my eating habits and incorporating more movement and exercise into my daily routine. One of the most effective elements has been uphill walking, which plays a key role in my fitness journey.

Here’s how I approach it: choose a hill that challenges you to the point of needing to pause and catch your breath. Each time you stop to rest, mark the spot with paint or a flag. Next time, aim to walk past that marker, creating a visible sign of your progress.

This simple method provides instant motivation and a sense of accomplishment. I went from stopping six times on my uphill walk to eventually making it to the top without stopping at all.

On the nutrition side, I focused on reading labels and educating myself about which foods best support a healthy lifestyle. This learning process is ongoing; I’ve discovered that what I once believed was healthy isn’t always the case. Being open to change and willing to adjust as you learn is key.

As a result of these consistent changes, I’ve lost more than 100 pounds—a journey that took about five years. Today, I feel stronger, perform better and am healthier in every aspect of my life. This transformation has been a gradual but incredibly rewarding process.

The "Fit Family" monthly challenge and Teams chat from the Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry are my biggest sources of motivation. I’ve also joined the Department of Agriculture Wellness Council to help inspire and support others on their wellness journeys.

This journey has not only improved my health but also affirmed the importance of perseverance and self-care. Small, consistent efforts can lead to transformative results.