Karen DeMairo: 2026 Meredith A. Cowden Patient Advocacy Achievement Award Winner

Each year, the Alliance recognizes an exceptional GVHD advocate with the Meredith A. Cowden Patient Advocacy Achievement Award. This year’s recipient—Karen DeMairo—takes exceptional to another level. Having spent nearly three decades supporting blood cancer and transplant survivors through her work with Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society), Karen and her team have improved the survivorship landscape for countless patients and their families. Hear all about her journey—her career, advocacy efforts, and advice for others—in this conversation she recently had with Meredith Cowden herself…we guarantee you’ll walk away inspired!