Multiple myeloma caregiver: Why I’ll keep donating blood products at UT MD Anderson ‘for Ever’
June 16, 2026
Story highlights
- After Ever Goodie-Preston was diagnosed with a rare type of multiple myeloma in 2013, she depended on blood transfusions and other blood products to keep her healthy.
- The care and blood donations she received at UT MD Anderson gave her another 13 years with her son and her husband, Jerry Preston.
- Today, Jerry regularly donates blood products, including platelets, at UT MD Anderson Blood Bank to help other patients like his late wife.
Until last August, I was only an occasional blood donor. If the opportunity arose and it was convenient, then I’d do it. But I never really set out to give blood. It was just something I did off and on starting in high school.
Then, in January 2013, my wife, Ever Goodie-Preston, was diagnosed with cancer. And, suddenly, blood donation became very important.
Why my wife needed blood products
My wife was diagnosed with a rare subtype of multiple myeloma called IgM. Her doctors said it was treatable, but not curable. At the time, the recommended protocol was chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant, then maintenance chemotherapy to keep her in remission as long as possible.
Even before Ever’s cancer diagnosis, she was always anemic. Multiple myeloma just further reduced how much blood her body could produce. The chemotherapy required to prepare her for the stem cell transplant wiped out any remaining bone marrow. So, Ever’s body was not making any blood cells for a while.
That meant she needed lots of blood transfusions and other blood products to stay healthy.
Blood donations to UT MD Anderson kept my wife alive for 13 years
I’ve lost count of how many blood products my wife received at UT MD Anderson. But her life depended on every last one of them. So, I’m very grateful.
I’m also grateful to myeloma specialist Dr. Donna Weber, her APRN Tiffany Richards, and the countless nurses and technicians at UT MD Anderson who took such great care of my wife. Ever and I had many tough days due to her illness. But we also enjoyed 13 more years of traveling and raising our son, Jackson, together because of UT MD Anderson and the people who donated blood there.
Ever didn’t quite reach her goal of watching Jackson graduate high school. He was only 15 when she passed away last summer. But she got pretty close. And, she did get to see him grow into someone she was truly proud of.
We made so many incredible memories. That time together was truly priceless. So, I can never fully express how grateful I am for it. That’s why I’ve started donating blood products at UT MD Anderson regularly.
‘Everything to me, but also one of hundreds’
My wife was everything to me. But she was also one of hundreds of patients who need blood products every day at UT MD Anderson. I wanted to repay all those people who donated when my wife needed it most.
Everybody knows somebody who has been affected by cancer. And someone you know is going to need blood at some point. That’s why we all have to pitch in to help each other.
While Ever was still alive, my focus was on taking care of her and our son. So, I gave blood as often as time allowed. I’m much more intentional about it now. I make an appointment every eight weeks at UT MD Anderson Blood Bank’s Holly Hall location. Mostly, I’ve given platelets, because that’s been what’s needed most. But I will donate whatever UT MD Anderson wants. Because my wife is gone. The need for blood donation isn’t.
Schedule an appointment to donate blood at UT MD Anderson online or call 713-792-7788.
My wife is gone. The need for blood donation isn’t.
Jerry Preston
Caregiver & Blood Donor