Honoring Service and Survival
On Nov. 11, Moffitt Cancer Center honored Terry Montrose during its annual Veterans Day Ceremony. As a leukemia survivor and retired senior master sergeant in the United States Air Force, Montrose shared his story of service, resilience and the profound power of human connection.
After joining the Air Force in 1989, Montrose’s military career led him in the direction of public affairs. His assignments included graphic artist, audiovisual director, multimedia director and superintendent of public affairs.
While working at the White House Communications Agency, Montrose earned a Presidential Service Badge. He served two deployments, in Iraq and Afghanistan, before retiring in 2011.
Following the Air Force, Montrose and his family settled in Tampa. There, he became the deputy chief of Public Affairs at MacDill Air Force Base.
A Nagging Cough
In September 2022, Montrose visited his doctor on base because of a persistent cough. During the appointment, he requested a blood test. Within hours, the results indicated the life-altering diagnosis of leukemia.
The news came just as Hurricane Ian was bearing down on Florida, forcing Montrose and his family to evacuate amid uncertainty, not only about their home, but about his survival.
Once the storm had passed, Montrose began treatment at Moffitt where his care team informed him that a bone marrow transplant was his only chance. Unfortunately, none of his family members was a close enough match. After a global search, two matches were found — one being a perfect 10 out of 10 for the key human leukocyte antigen markers. These markers help your immune system determine which cells belong in your body.
Miracle Around the World
In Sweden, a 23-year-old man received the call that he was a perfect match for someone in need. William Boley, a chef, had registered as a bone marrow donor three years earlier and didn’t hesitate when the call came for help.
Terry Montrose (left) traveled to Sweden to meet his donor, William Boley, after he donated stem cells that saved Montrose's life.
Two weeks later, his stem cells were en route to the U.S., destined for Montrose and Moffitt. The transplant was a success.
It would be a year before Montrose and Boley could learn about each other. In the U.S., patients must wait one year after transplant before asking for direct contact with a donor.
Montrose didn’t hesitate. He arranged to meet Boley in Sweden, where Montrose was able to say thank you in person. This year, Boley visited Montrose in Tampa, where the two got matching tattoos. Two intertwined blood drops are on their wrists, symbolizing their bond and the miracle of life.
Overcoming Adversity
Montrose’s journey from facing a life-threatening diagnosis to standing strong today is a testament to the resilience of our veterans and the global community that supports them. His story reminds us that service extends beyond borders and that every act of kindness can be lifesaving.
Moffitt is deeply grateful to Terry Montrose for sharing his story and for his continued service to our nation. His voice at this year’s Veterans Day ceremony was a powerful tribute to the strength, sacrifice and spirit of our armed forces.
