Cullen McQuillen Case Jr., a longtime disaster preparedness and crisis response professional who led the Radiation Injury Treatment Network (RITN), died on August 1, 2026, at the age of 55 after a battle with Acute Erythroid Leukemia, a rare and aggressive subtype of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Case built a more than 21-year career with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), where he focused on emergency preparedness, crisis response, logistics, and continuity planning. He served as Program Director for RITN for more than five years and previously held program management and senior leadership roles supporting disaster readiness and emergency operations.
Through his work with NMDP, Case helped develop preparedness and crisis response capabilities designed to ensure the delivery of lifesaving marrow products despite operational disruptions. His responsibilities included overseeing federally supported programs, managing participating hospitals, coordinating logistics, and supporting continuity of operations during emergencies.
Case’s work with NMDP extended beyond planning. As a volunteer courier, he personally helped transport lifesaving stem cell transplants to patients, including during severe weather events and the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring critical medical deliveries continued despite challenging conditions.
Before his civilian career, Case served more than 12 years in the U.S. Army, including roles as a paratrooper and logistics officer in the Ordnance Corps. He attained the rank of Major and served on assignments including deployments to Korea and Nicaragua.
Case earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Miami and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of South Dakota.
Beyond his professional work, Case was active in his community, serving as a mentor with Washington County Veterans Court and volunteering with organizations including Team Rubicon. He also contributed to local civic efforts through involvement with community boards such as the Lake Elmo Public Safety Committee.
Throughout his career, Case focused on preparedness, resilience, and helping others during critical moments. His work connected emergency planning with real-world response, supporting both patients and communities during times of need.