Expert care helps college athlete strike out rare, aggressive blood cancer — twice
Expert care helps college athlete strike out rare, aggressive blood cancer — twice
Expert care helps college athlete strike out rare, aggressive blood cancer — twice
By Katrina Fu
By Katrina Fu
Henry Gustavson is back with his college baseball team, thanks to the lifesaving cancer care he received at Mass General Brigham.
After Middlebury College senior Henry Gustavson was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphoma — a rare and aggressive blood cancer — he was thrilled to be declared cancer-free. But when the cancer returned, access to expert care and cutting-edge treatment proved more crucial than ever. Under the care of a leading specialist in T-cell lymphoma at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Gustavson found the support he needed to navigate his second encounter with the disease.
His complex treatment journey included chemotherapy and two stem cell transplants. Today, he’s cancer-free and deeply grateful for the care he received at MGH.
In August 2023, as Gustavson was gearing up to return to classes and play for Middlebury’s baseball team, everything felt normal. “I felt healthy and active,” he recalled.
But during a fishing trip with his father, he began experiencing strange symptoms: tightness in his chest and persistent heartburn. Within weeks, those symptoms escalated to fevers, body aches and swelling in his neck. After several urgent care visits and trips to the emergency room, doctors were still unsure of the cause. Eventually, he received a diagnosis: non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphoma.
“It was a bit of a shock — but also a relief to finally have an answer,” he said.
Henry Gustavson is back with his college baseball team, thanks to the lifesaving cancer care he received at Mass General Brigham.
After Middlebury College senior Henry Gustavson was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphoma — a rare and aggressive blood cancer — he was thrilled to be declared cancer-free. But when the cancer returned, access to expert care and cutting-edge treatment proved more crucial than ever. Under the care of a leading specialist in T-cell lymphoma at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Gustavson found the support he needed to navigate his second encounter with the disease.
His complex treatment journey included chemotherapy and two stem cell transplants. Today, he’s cancer-free and deeply grateful for the care he received at MGH.
In August 2023, as Gustavson was gearing up to return to classes and play for Middlebury’s baseball team, everything felt normal. “I felt healthy and active,” he recalled.
But during a fishing trip with his father, he began experiencing strange symptoms: tightness in his chest and persistent heartburn. Within weeks, those symptoms escalated to fevers, body aches and swelling in his neck. After several urgent care visits and trips to the emergency room, doctors were still unsure of the cause. Eventually, he received a diagnosis: non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphoma.
“It was a bit of a shock — but also a relief to finally have an answer,” he said.
Comfort and confidence
Comfort and confidence
Gustavson began six rounds of chemotherapy under the care of Salvia Jain, MD, a hematologist and medical oncologist at MGH and principal investigator of PETAL Consortium, a global network focused on transforming T-cell lymphoma care.
“It's always a positive experience when I talk to Dr. Jain,” said Gustavson said. “She brings both comfort and confidence while being sensitive to how I’m feeling.”
From September to December 2023, Gustavson completed chemotherapy. Then, in February 2024, he underwent an autologous stem cell transplant, using his own healthy stem cells to restore his bone marrow. After a month of hospital monitoring, he was declared cancer-free.
“I felt like I could go back to doing the things I wanted to do,” he said.
During treatment, Gustavson and his family launched the Henry Strong fundraiser to support lymphoma research at MGH.
The fundraiser raised over $50,000 — funds that enabled PETAL Consortium to purchase a microbioreactor, a device used to grow lymphoma cells for research. “We felt like we had turned a less-than-ideal situation into something good for others,” Gustavson said.
Beyond raising money, he also wanted to change how people talk about cancer. “My goal was to make it less awkward,” he said. “So many people have cancer or know someone with it. It’s important to talk about it openly.”
Gustavson began six rounds of chemotherapy under the care of Salvia Jain, MD, a hematologist and medical oncologist at MGH and principal investigator of PETAL Consortium, a global network focused on transforming T-cell lymphoma care.
“It's always a positive experience when I talk to Dr. Jain,” said Gustavson said. “She brings both comfort and confidence while being sensitive to how I’m feeling.”
From September to December 2023, Gustavson completed chemotherapy. Then, in February 2024, he underwent an autologous stem cell transplant, using his own healthy stem cells to restore his bone marrow. After a month of hospital monitoring, he was declared cancer-free.
“I felt like I could go back to doing the things I wanted to do,” he said.
During treatment, Gustavson and his family launched the Henry Strong fundraiser to support lymphoma research at MGH.
The fundraiser raised over $50,000 — funds that enabled PETAL Consortium to purchase a microbioreactor, a device used to grow lymphoma cells for research. “We felt like we had turned a less-than-ideal situation into something good for others,” Gustavson said.
Beyond raising money, he also wanted to change how people talk about cancer. “My goal was to make it less awkward,” he said. “So many people have cancer or know someone with it. It’s important to talk about it openly.”
Gustavson began six rounds of chemotherapy under the care of Salvia Jain, MD, a hematologist and medical oncologist at MGH and principal investigator of PETAL Consortium, a global network focused on transforming T-cell lymphoma care.
“It's always a positive experience when I talk to Dr. Jain,” said Gustavson said. “She brings both comfort and confidence while being sensitive to how I’m feeling.”
From September to December 2023, Gustavson completed chemotherapy. Then, in February 2024, he underwent an autologous stem cell transplant, using his own healthy stem cells to restore his bone marrow. After a month of hospital monitoring, he was declared cancer-free.
“I felt like I could go back to doing the things I wanted to do,” he said.
During treatment, Gustavson and his family launched the Henry Strong fundraiser to support lymphoma research at MGH.
The fundraiser raised over $50,000 — funds that enabled PETAL Consortium to purchase a microbioreactor, a device used to grow lymphoma cells for research. “We felt like we had turned a less-than-ideal situation into something good for others,” Gustavson said.
Beyond raising money, he also wanted to change how people talk about cancer. “My goal was to make it less awkward,” he said. “So many people have cancer or know someone with it. It’s important to talk about it openly.”
Gustavson after completing treatment
Gustavson after completing treatment
Gustavson after completing treatment
Gustavson after completing treatment
A second setback
A second setback
Just as Gustavson was returning to his regular routine, symptoms flared — back pain and swelling in his neck. He was diagnosed once again with non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphoma.
“The second time was harder,” Gustavson acknowledged. “I had just started to feel like I was back to normal. Then I learned I had to go through everything again.
From October to December 2024, he continued college classes while undergoing oral chemotherapy. In January 2025, he returned to MGH for an allogeneic stem cell transplant, which uses healthy stem cells from a donor to replace damaged stem cells.
Just as Gustavson was returning to his regular routine, symptoms flared — back pain and swelling in his neck. He was diagnosed once again with non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphoma.
“The second time was harder,” Gustavson acknowledged. “I had just started to feel like I was back to normal. Then I learned I had to go through everything again.
” From October to December 2024, he continued college classes while undergoing oral chemotherapy. In January 2025, he returned to MGH for an allogeneic stem cell transplant, which uses healthy stem cells from a donor to replace damaged stem cells.
“In Henry’s case, we were lucky to find that his brother was a perfect match,” said Steven McAfee, MD, clinical director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at MGH. “Siblings have a 25% chance of being a perfect match.”
“The fact that it was my brother made it extra special,” said Gustavson. “He lived away from home during most of my cancer journey. Being my donor gave us a meaningful connection.”
Just as Gustavson was returning to his regular routine, symptoms flared — back pain and swelling in his neck. He was diagnosed once again with non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphoma.
“The second time was harder,” Gustavson acknowledged. “I had just started to feel like I was back to normal. Then I learned I had to go through everything again.
” From October to December 2024, he continued college classes while undergoing oral chemotherapy. In January 2025, he returned to MGH for an allogeneic stem cell transplant, which uses healthy stem cells from a donor to replace damaged stem cells.
“In Henry’s case, we were lucky to find that his brother was a perfect match,” said Steven McAfee, MD, clinical director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at MGH. “Siblings have a 25% chance of being a perfect match.”
“The fact that it was my brother made it extra special,” said Gustavson. “He lived away from home during most of my cancer journey. Being my donor gave us a meaningful connection.”
“In Henry’s case, we were lucky to find that his brother was a perfect match,” said Steven McAfee, MD, clinical director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at MGH. “Siblings have a 25% chance of being a perfect match.”
“The fact that it was my brother made it extra special,” said Gustavson. “He lived away from home during most of my cancer journey. Being my donor gave us a meaningful connection.”
Just as Gustavson was returning to his regular routine, symptoms flared — back pain and swelling in his neck. He was diagnosed once again with non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphoma.
“The second time was harder,” Gustavson acknowledged. “I had just started to feel like I was back to normal. Then I learned I had to go through everything again.
” From October to December 2024, he continued college classes while undergoing oral chemotherapy. In January 2025, he returned to MGH for an allogeneic stem cell transplant, which uses healthy stem cells from a donor to replace damaged stem cells.
“In Henry’s case, we were lucky to find that his brother was a perfect match,” said Steven McAfee, MD, clinical director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at MGH. “Siblings have a 25% chance of being a perfect match.”
“The fact that it was my brother made it extra special,” said Gustavson. “He lived away from home during most of my cancer journey. Being my donor gave us a meaningful connection.”
Just as Gustavson was returning to his regular routine, symptoms flared — back pain and swelling in his neck. He was diagnosed once again with non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphoma.
“The second time was harder,” Gustavson acknowledged. “I had just started to feel like I was back to normal. Then I learned I had to go through everything again.
” From October to December 2024, he continued college classes while undergoing oral chemotherapy. In January 2025, he returned to MGH for an allogeneic stem cell transplant, which uses healthy stem cells from a donor to replace damaged stem cells.
“In Henry’s case, we were lucky to find that his brother was a perfect match,” said Steven McAfee, MD, clinical director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at MGH. “Siblings have a 25% chance of being a perfect match.”
“The fact that it was my brother made it extra special,” said Gustavson. “He lived away from home during most of my cancer journey. Being my donor gave us a meaningful connection.”
A team behind him
A team behind him
As a devout Boston sports fan, Gustavson (right) was elated to meet Red Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks (left), a fellow non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor
As a devout Boston sports fan, Gustavson (right) was elated to meet Red Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks (left), a fellow non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor
Throughout treatment, Gustavson leaned on his family and friends. “I was incredibly lucky to live with my parents and be supported by my brother and sister. My friends kept me engaged and connected.”
His college baseball team also became a source of strength. “They brought so much hope and joy during both rounds of treatment.”
He even got to meet former Boston Bruins player Matt Grzelcyk and Red Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks, a fellow non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor. “As a huge Boston sports fan, following the Bruins and Red Sox gave me a lot of comfort. Meeting Matt and Liam was just awesome.”
Following his second transplant and a 100-day recovery period in isolation, Gustavson is once again cancer-free. He still takes oral chemotherapy and an immunosuppressant and visits MGH monthly for monitoring.
Now, he is an environmental studies major with plans to work in conservation after graduation. He expects to finish his degree in February and return to Middlebury next year as an assistant baseball coach.
Having gone through two battles with cancer, Gustavson says he’s learned to “appreciate the small things, not worry about the future, and live in the moment.”
“My family and I are incredibly grateful to Dr. Jain and everyone at Mass General for the amazing care I received,” said Henry. “I can’t thank people enough.”
Throughout treatment, Gustavson leaned on his family and friends. “I was incredibly lucky to live with my parents and be supported by my brother and sister. My friends kept me engaged and connected.”
His college baseball team also became a source of strength. “They brought so much hope and joy during both rounds of treatment.”
He even got to meet former Boston Bruins player Matt Grzelcyk and Red Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks, a fellow non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor. “As a huge Boston sports fan, following the Bruins and Red Sox gave me a lot of comfort. Meeting Matt and Liam was just awesome.”
Following his second transplant and a 100-day recovery period in isolation, Gustavson is once again cancer-free. He still takes oral chemotherapy and an immunosuppressant and visits MGH monthly for monitoring.
Now, he is an environmental studies major with plans to work in conservation after graduation. He expects to finish his degree in February and return to Middlebury next year as an assistant baseball coach.
Having gone through two battles with cancer, Gustavson says he’s learned to “appreciate the small things, not worry about the future, and live in the moment.”
“My family and I are incredibly grateful to Dr. Jain and everyone at Mass General for the amazing care I received,” said Henry. “I can’t thank people enough.”
A team behind him
As a devout Boston sports fan, Gustavson (right) was elated to meet Red Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks (left), a fellow non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor.
Throughout treatment, Gustavson leaned on his family and friends. “I was incredibly lucky to live with my parents and be supported by my brother and sister. My friends kept me engaged and connected.”
His college baseball team also became a source of strength. “They brought so much hope and joy during both rounds of treatment.”
He even got to meet former Boston Bruins player Matt Grzelcyk and Red Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks, a fellow non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor. “As a huge Boston sports fan, following the Bruins and Red Sox gave me a lot of comfort. Meeting Matt and Liam was just awesome.”
Following his second transplant and a 100-day recovery period in isolation, Gustavson is once again cancer-free. He still takes oral chemotherapy and an immunosuppressant and visits MGH monthly for monitoring.
Now, he is an environmental studies major with plans to work in conservation after graduation. He expects to finish his degree in February and return to Middlebury next year as an assistant baseball coach.
Having gone through two battles with cancer, Gustavson says he’s learned to “appreciate the small things, not worry about the future, and live in the moment.”
“My family and I are incredibly grateful to Dr. Jain and everyone at Mass General for the amazing care I received,” said Henry. “I can’t thank people enough.”
@2025 PETAL Consortium • All rights reserved
@2025 PETAL Consortium • All rights reserved
@2025 PETAL Consortium • All rights reserved
@2025 PETAL Consortium • All rights reserved
@2025 PETAL Consortium • All rights reserved