"Elaine Sonntag-Johnson: A Mother Against The Odds" (S3 E26)

Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message At age 30, Elaine Sonntag Johnson was loving her career as a family therapist, blissfully married, and eager to start a family. But following blood tests from her OB/GYN, she was diagnosed with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (or PNH for short) and given just 3-5 years to live. In an ode to Mothers' Day and moms everywhere, this is an episode of resilience and hope; that diagnosis was 37 years ago, Elaine and husband Daniel have two adopted children in their 20s, and thanks to a breakthrough medication for PNH patients, King County's most prolific blood recipient (over 1,000 units) rarely needs blood anymore. Support the show