By Blake Belden 

Michael Stigall had a lot of time on his hands during his 27-day stint in the hospital following a bone marrow transplant. 

Within those first days, he felt called to put pen to paper – writing a song about his journey to VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and all the people who have been there along the way.  

“All the nurses and doctors here have been unbelievable. They have just touched my life, and we’ve built a great friendship and love for each other because they take care of you,” Michael said. “I can’t thank this hospital enough for saving my life.” 

On his last day in the hospital, Michael was overwhelmed as he was met with claps and cheers after he performed his original song “My DNA” on a ukulele before loved ones, clinicians and VCU Police officers.  

“I’m just so thankful that I’ve had a chance to hopefully live a lot longer than I would have if I had just been under normal therapy,” Michael said, fighting back tears. “This is a tough program to go through, but it’s worth it. Now, I can spend more time with my grandkids and my daughters and all the other people in my life.” 

(VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center)

Michael’s cancer journey began in December 2024. Blood tests and lab work led to Michael being diagnosed with leukemia. After a series of blood transfusions and multiple rounds of chemotherapy, Michael was admitted for a bone marrow transplant. 

Michael’s donor is a 19-year-old from Europe, whose name he doesn’t know. He wanted to give the donor – whose immune system is now infused within his body – a name. So now, Michael refers to them as “Ethan.”  

“We became partners in the rest of our lives, so I figured I’d give him some form of identity and a name. Thank you, Ethan. I appreciate it,” Michael said. 

Patricia is another important name to Michael. Patricia is his wife, who Michael says has been there all along the way. He thanked her during the performance, along with the rest of his family and commended his cancer care team for getting him through treatment. 

Michael Stigall was in the hospital for 27 days after receiving a bone marrow transplant to treat leukemia. (Bill Potter, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center)

VCU Police officers were also invited to see Michael sing, since they made a lasting impression on the Stigalls during this difficult time. Sgt. Shola Kayode escorted Patricia to the cancer center after she was dropped off at an incorrect address nearly two miles away.  

The compassionate gesture significantly eased Patricia’s anxiety in a time of distress while she was trying to visit her husband. Days later, five VCU Police officers came to visit the family at Massey to check in and see how they were doing, and they continued their relationship during his stay. 

“Meeting Mrs. Stigall and her husband was one of those extraordinary experiences. I feel privileged to have met such a wonderful couple and hear their beautiful stories,” Kayode said. “Hearing Michael sing was beautiful. He insisted he wasn’t a professional singer or songwriter, but he sounds like one.” 

After Michael was officially discharged from the hospital, VCU Police provided a courtesy escort caravan for he and his wife off of the medical campus. 

Michael hopes his song and experience can serve as encouragement for others who may be going through a similar diagnosis and treatment. 

“I’ve been praying for all these patients up here. I want to let them know that, from room 11, I’ve got their back,” Michael said. “And when I ring that bell, when I go out that door, I hope that everybody hears that bell, knowing that I’ve touched their lives and they have touched mine.” 

VIDEO: Watch the full version of Michael Stigall’s song “My DNA” here.

A version of this story was originally published by VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.

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