Can MDS be hereditary?

Approximately 30 years ago, my husband's sister was suddenly diagnosed with a "blood disease" and lived less than 2 weeks after being diagnosed. She had returned from an Indian Reservation outside of Phoenix, Arizona, and upon her return was hospitalized with "acute" flu symptoms. While sitting next to her in the hospital, she was re-diagnosed with cancer and went code blue in the elevator on the way to the cancer ward. She was kept in a coma state and died within a few days. We were able to talk with one doctor shortly before she died who referred to her problem as a blood disease.
Question: My husband was recently diagnosed with MDS and we are wondering if that can be related through hereditary issues.