More than four decades ago, Lynn Frohnmayer was a mother searching for answers after learning that three of her five children had Fanconi anemia. There was no roadmap and no established network of families or experts. Information was scarce, treatments were limited, and the future her family had been given was devastating.
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Rachel Altmann
Board Member
Mother of Nina
Rachel has been active in the Fanconi anemia community for several years, as an FA parent, a contributor to FARF newsletters, and a fundraiser. She has worked in the education sector for many years, as an environmental educator at Hawai’i Nature Center and most recently as Library Outreach Specialist at Multnomah County Library in Portland, Ore. Her daughter, Nina, succumbed to complications from Fanconi anemia in 2006 at age three. Rachel continues to honor Nina’s legacy by working to advance FA research and support other families who face FA.
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What I hope for most is greater awareness, earlier diagnosis, access to treatment and support for families affected by FA in Malaysia. I hope no other mother has to go through what I went through, feeling confused, unprepared and alone while watching her children struggle with FA.
The Fanconi Cancer Foundation is pleased to recognize Dominika as the first-place recipient of the 2026 Winn/Byrd Award for Adults with FA. Dexter Sherrell received the second-place award for his work connecting people affected by rare diseases with researchers, health care professionals and advocates.