In a press release dated March 13, 1995, Cornell University announced that Carl Sagan has taken a temporary leave of absence to be treated for a rare but curable bone marrow disease. Although his condition is not cancer, it may develop into cancer if not treated promptly. Sagan will undergo a bone marrow transplant in Seattle, WA.

Sagan fully expects to be back at Cornell next semester. He plans to continue supervising his research program, but has cancelled or postponed previously scheduled speaking engagements during the term. He is making appointments for the fall. Sagan is curr ently working on simulations of planetary atmospheres and their chemical composition.

UPDATE: A press release dated May 17 reports that Sagan is making "remarkable progress" after his bone marrow transplant on April 7, according to doctors at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA. He has been released from the Cent er's inpatient transplant unit to the outpatient department. As with all transplant patients, there are still a number of potentially serious obstacles before full recovery.

Sagan's disease, myelodysplasia, a form of refractory anemia, is nearly always fatal if left untreated. The transplant donor, a perfect match, was his sister, Cari Greene of Charleston, W.Va.