When Kendall Schara's body seemed unable to fight a simple infection, doctors knew something was wrong
Credit: GoFundMe
NEED TO KNOW
- Kendall Schara, a college athlete, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia after a wisdom tooth infection
- Her younger sister Elle was a stem cell match, and Schara is now in complete remission after a transplant
- A GoFundMe for Schara has raised over $51K as she continues maintenance therapy and shares updates on her recovery
A college athlete is sharing how a routine dental procedure led to a shocking health diagnosis.
In early 2025, Kendall Schara, 21, underwent a simple wisdom tooth extraction. But the site became infected, and the volleyball captain at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay became ill. No one knew why her body seemed unable to fight the infection. Several months later, a bone marrow biopsy revealed something she never could have imagined: She had acute myeloid leukemia.
“I had to ask, do I have a high chance of surviving? And at the age of 21, I don't feel like that's something anyone should have to ask,” she told Good Morning America in a segment that aired on Monday, May 25.
Credit: GoFundMe
Acute myeloid leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that progresses very quickly, according to the Mayo Clinic. It requires immediate treatment because it can spread to other parts of the body. It usually affects older adults.
When Schara received her diagnosis in April 2025, her family was devastated, especially her younger sister Elle. “It was just the most devastating moment I've probably faced in my life,” she said.
Schara began chemotherapy at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University in Chicago, but a month into treatment, doctors said she needed a stem cell transplant, according to GMA.
After doctors were unable to find a match using a donor registry, they found Elle was a perfect match.
"It was one of the brightest moments of this journey," Schara recalls.
In July 2025, she received her little sister's cells.
Credit: GoFundMe
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Schara opened up about being 100 days post-transplant in an emotional Instagram post in November 2025.
“I'm so excited to be at this point and so proud of everything I've accomplished. Over the past couple of months, I've endured things that no one should have to deal with, let alone a 21 year old. Through all the chemo, hospitalizations, procedures, side effects, and so much more, i'm happy to say that I came away from all of it optimistic for my future,” she wrote at the time.
“It'd be a lie to say I was always positive in my situation, but I never lost hope. I officially reached a remission at the end of may but there was still a way to go with treatment,” Schara continued.
“I'm a long way from living life ‘normal' again but you gotta start somewhere. Every day I'm one step closer to living the way I want to live,” she wrote.
Credit: GoFundMe
Since her health ordeal, Kendall has returned to school. Her cancer is in remission as she continues maintenance therapy.
She is now speaking out about the importance of getting more people signed up for the stem cell registry. "I think it is inspiring to be someone who can save a life," she says.
A GoFundMe page created for Schara has raised over $51K of its $70K goal; an update on May 19 said her latest bone marrow biopsy “came back clear of any signs of leukemia. "
Schara's next biopsy will be in August.
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