“It is good to be seen.” That is 46-year-old Duane Carter’s view on life these days. Duane’s father died when he was 55. One brother died at 42 years of age and another at 45.

The Buffalo native wonders if other members of his family may have suffered from the same rare inherited condition called amyloidosis. Duane says only by the grace of God and persistence is he here today to enjoy life with his wife, daughter and family but it has been a long hard road.

Amyloidosis is a potentially fatal disease where an abnormal protein builds up in tissues and organs. In Duane’s case, the protein was affecting his heart causing him to retain excessive fluid in his lungs. He knew something was terribly wrong when as a healthy, relatively young man, he had trouble walking up a flight of stairs.

He went through extensive tests and procedures before his condition was correctly diagnosed including numerous CTs, MRIs, new drug therapies and biopsies of his back and stomach. Finally after a heart biopsy, doctors correctly identified his condition, but the news was not good. His doctor told him there was no cure and no hope for a long life. At that point, doctors referred Duane to Roswell Park where his diagnosis was confirmed, but not his prognosis. A blood and marrow transplant (BMT) was recommended and gave Duane a second chance.

“I am a living miracle,” he strongly exclaims. “If it were not for my doctors at Roswell Park, I would not be here today. I couldn’t take 10 steps without stopping and trying to catch my breath.”

The days before, during and after the transplant were difficult for the Carter family. His wife was helping Duane with everyday activities while at the same time taking care of his daughter who was diagnosed with appendicitis at a different hospital.

“It broke my heart not to be there for my daughter as she went through her stay at the hospital. I was only able to talk to her on the telephone,” Duane recalls. “My wife was a wonder. She was my strength and my rock through all of this.”

Today, while Duane has some physical limitations, he is feeling good and is in remission from this uncommon condition.

He continued, “I have lived a few blocks from Roswell Park all my life and never knew the impact they had on people’s lives. Now I have the greatest respect for the doctors, nurses, everyone who works there. There is no doubt in my mind that they saved my life.”

Duane’s message of hope for the holidays: “Don’t feel sorry for yourself and don’t give up hope. Even when the situation seems hopeless – never give up the fight because there may be a miracle waiting for you.” Duane Carter “Never give up the fight because there may be a miracle waiting for you.”