A few years ago Tammi Terrell developed an autoimmune condition called IMHA and eventually went into remission. However, in January 2024, she collapsed and returned to AMC. She was hospitalized for 25 days with a condition called PIMA and needed an emergency splenectomy. The surgery was overseen by Dr. Douglas Palma and performed with amazing speed – it took only 11 minutes to remove Tammi Terrell’s spleen – which was particularly important since Tammi Terrell’s condition left her with a dangerously low red blood cell count, and she has the very rare Dal-negative blood type, like Mingming, that made her a poor candidate for a transfusion. Although Tammi Terrell was discharged days later, she soon returned with a urinary tract infection, which spread to all her major organs. In need of blood donors, that’s when Mingming came to the rescue. With Mingming’s owner eager to help another dog in need, and despite the risk to Mingming’s own health, she was able to donate a small, but vital, amount of compatible blood, which kept Tammi Terrell alive until more donors could be found. Three blood transfusions over three days sustained Tammi Terrell, while the IM team worked tirelessly to bring her infections under control and return her to good health.

Tammi Terrell was honored as an AMC Living Legend at our 16th Annual Living Legends Luncheon.