It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Zhenya Senyak, who has died surrounded by his loving family in Asheville NC, after a long journey with illness.
Those who have been in the MPN community for some time will recognize Zhenya’s passing as a watershed event. His dedication, resolve, and tireless efforts to improve the understanding and daily lives of MPN patients have left an indelible mark on all of us. For those who may not have known him personally, his contributions will continue to resonate and benefit the community for many years to come.
Zhenya was the designer and voice behind MPN Forum, an invaluable online resource for MPN patients. At a time when reliable information was scarce, Zhenya provided critical, up-to-the-minute updates and maintained a comprehensive, patient-led directory of MPN providers. His active participation in the online patient community is legendary; he was frank and fearless in his expression of ideas. Many of us who had the privilege of calling him a close friend experienced his unwavering passion for progress firsthand. He kept us on our toes, and he kept us honest.
Beyond his impact on patient advocacy, Zhenya also put his mark on MPN research, stimulating both academic researchers and other MPN groups explore new ideas and ways to move scientific discoveries forward. He pushed for research into CRISPR, CAR-T and other pivotal discoveries before many knew of their potential. One of his last projects was the development of MPN Magic, a tool for assessing the relevance of stem cell transplant for individual patient cases— a testament to his forward-thinking approach and his commitment to improving patient care.
Zhenya life was rich and full, extending well beyond his MPN work. He wrote a book about teaching oneself how to play the banjo. He loved dogs and had a long and very vocal relationship with a parrot named Bozo. He was also a wonderful cook.
The absence of Zhenya will be profoundly felt by all who knew him. He was a friend, a mentor, and a relentless advocate. It was truly a privilege to know him, and his legacy will live on in the lives he touched and the countless ways he worked to make the world a better place for MPN patients.
Rest in peace, Zhenya. You will be dearly missed, and never forgotten.