Search Results

Matt

On February 2nd, 2019 my youngest daughter, Harper, was diagnosed with leukemia. Three and a half years later as I'm writing this I have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Harper and our family are fortunate. She has great insurance, access to world class care, treatment options that are highly effective, and an amazing support network. That said she, and all cancer patients, must fight for their lives. I'll never forget spending the evening before her birthday in the emergency room with severe bone pain (a common side effect from her treatment).

Avi

My journey began a few months into 2020. I was making plans to celebrate my birthday by going to some amusement parks I hadn't been to in many years. Unfortunately, that's when the pandemic hit, and going to the parks was no longer an option. A few months later, I started to get sick. Fever, night sweats, little to no appetite, weight loss. We didn't know if it was COVID-19 or not. I went to urgent care, and they didn't help (sent me home with Tylenol), and I was still not feeling it. I went to get bloodwork as something was off and I was starting to show signs of jaundice.

Treatment Outcomes

Some types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) are curable. Some people with other types of NHL are able to keep their disease under control and live good-quality lives with medical treatment.

Click here to access NHL survival statistics.

Ira

In August 2014, at age 48, I was literally in the best shape of my life. I was an avid cyclist, averaging more than 150 miles per week, leading groups of riders for my cycling club, and completing multiple 100-mile century rides in a single season. Over the course of just a few days, while cycling, I noticed a sudden setback in my performance. Virtually overnight I lost stamina, speed and endurance. Thinking I was battling a flu or virus I visited my doctor. Blood tests revealed an abnormality.

Laura

I was diagnosed with stage 4 mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in December 2020, but at the time, it was considered to be "indolent." That quickly changed in late February 2021 when I experienced intussusception, a painful telescoping of the bowel into itself requiring hospitalization. A colonoscopy revealed a 7 cm. mass of the cecum, and the biopsy showed that it was MCL. I was discharged from the hospital with the agreement that I would come back a week later and start chemo/immunotherapy.

Christy

I fell in love with distance running in 2010 while training for my first marathon as a member of Team In Training, raising money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Since then, I have completed five full marathons and one ultra-marathon (49K). I started getting into mountain running in 2016, and aspire to run some mountain races here in Alaska, including Mount Marathon in Seward!

Joshua

Joshua is a nine-year, two-time blood cancer survivor. He was first diagnosed at age six with non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphoma. Joshua remembers it was January 15, 2005, when he told his mother and grandmother that his “heart was hurting.” After being admitted to St. Mary’s Hospital and undergoing blood tests and X-rays, Joshua was diagnosed with lymphoma and, a few days later, started chemotherapy. He recalls laying down to take a nap at his grandfather’s home and waking up with most of his hair still on the pillow.

Chris

When I started this journey six years ago, I never would have imagined I would take part in TEN Team In Training events, but losing a great friend can motivate you to do incredible things.

Rachel

Rachel was diagnosed with stage 4B Hodgkin lymphoma in February 2015. She was 26 years old. The moment when her oncologist first spoke the words “you have cancer” were surreal to her. She looked to her parents who exchanged the same look of disbelief and shock, then quickly looked away before fear and sadness settled across their faces. Her mind started to race, “How am I stage 4? I don’t feel that sick. This has to be a mistake, where did this even come from? What happens now?”

Patience

We were clobbered, like every patient, every family, who gets clobbered with a life-threatening diagnosis.

Amanda

As a popular entertainment anchor on the “Good Day LA” morning show in Los Angeles, Amanda Salas has always kept busy. But after she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in June 2019, she has had to refocus all her energy and time on fighting for her life.

Bryana

Hello everyone! My name is Bryana and in September 2022, at 23 years old, I was rushed to the hospital unable to breathe. I recently went on a trip to Las Vegas and had gotten sick while there, but never expected what was coming for me next. I was initially diagnosed with pneumonia but when I had a CAT scan done, the radiologist noticed an abnormal 5cm mass in my chest pushing on my bronchial tubes. My oxygen levels were low and my CBC came back abnormal, I had a severely low amount of WBC which brought up suspicion.

Richard

It was Monday morning in January 2021. I gave my results to my wife at the kitchen table. She asked if I had read them, and I said no. I had been struggling with a chronic cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath for two to three months, so a CT scan was done to evaluate my lungs. I was simply too tired to read them. My wife scanned the papers and immediately started crying. There was a large 16 cm. tumor in my chest that was creating the symptoms and pressing on my lungs.

Jessica

Hi my name is Jessica and I am 21 years old. Two weeks before my 12th birthday I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) which would completely alter the entire of my life moving forward. Due to the complexity and aggressiveness of my treatment, I was always receiving my treatment inpatient. My chemo regimen caused me to become severely tired and weak each round taking weeks for me to bounce back for the next round.

Olivia

My name is Olivia. I am British but grew up in the United States. For the past eight years, I have lived in Maui, Hawaii, as a professional water sports athlete. I am a professional kitesurfer and hydrofoiler, but I am also an avid runner, biker, swimmer, hiker, skier, surfer, etc.

Gregory

My journey is not over yet. I was diagnosed in 2019 with triple-hit diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most fearsome of the DLBCL constellation of lymphomas. My oncologist told me that in addition to chemo, I would need, in order to survive, an autologous stem cell transplant. After three rounds of progressively heavy chemo, I had a transplant in February 2020 done with my own stem cells. I was in remission! My wife and I moved to the U.K. in 2022 where I was semi-retired, living my best life with travel, music, history, and a little work on the side.

Facts and Statistics Overview

Leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are types of cancer that can affect the bone marrow, the blood cells, the lymph nodes, and other parts of the lymphatic system.

Click on the links below to view statistics about each disease:

Kristen

I am a mom of four, married for 22 years, and was recently diagnosed with a very rare leukemia/lymphoma. I am a licensed speech-language pathologist, health coach, and have my own podcast. I began treatment in January of this year and will follow treatment with a bone marrow transplant. I am an encourager, and my desire is to use this diagnosis to bring hope. I know this journey is not about me! It’s about bringing hope to the hopeless and love to the lonely.

Acosta

In 1992 my son was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 3 and after 3 yrs of chemotherapy he’s finally cured.

In 2009 I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma stage 4. I underwent 3 years of chemotherapy and today I’m in remission!

As mother and son survivors, we have been walking and part taking in as many events as we can, he’s my inspiration! We will walk again this year together once again!

Dorette

I was first told I had non-hodgkin's lymphoma at the age of 20. I had no idea what that was, I just knew it was a form of cancer and that there was a possibility that I may not survive.

My first reaction was shock, then I was in denial, and then I felt scared. I came to an acceptance that I may not live but I have to at least fight trying.

I started my treatments of chemotherapy and radiation. I'm now proud to say it's been 26 years since. I survived! I beat Cancer!

Bruce

I was diagnosed with stage III mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in October 2004 following a routine physical exam. I wasn’t feeling ill, but since I quit smoking many years ago, as a precaution, my primary care physician recommended having a computed tomography (CT) scan of my lungs to see if I had any residual damage.

Diagnosis

An accurate diagnosis is one of the most important aspects of a person’s care. A precise diagnosis will help the doctor to

• Estimate the rate of disease progression
• Determine the appropriate treatment.

The doctor will take a comprehensive medical history and ask questions regarding either the absence or the presence of B symptoms. Physical examination will include measurement of all accessible lymph node groups, as well as the size of organs, such as the spleen and liver. 

Rhonda

This is my second time participating in the Light The Night as a cancer survivor. I have had blood cancer twice.

In 2012 I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. After being in remission for almost 7 years on December 17, 2018 I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. I had a bone marrow transplant in March and I am in remission.

I must say I’m grateful that team NCA (National Christian Academy’s school cheerleaders) would do Light The Night in my honor.

Jamaal

Jamaal Simmons had non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL). He was such a brave person. He worked at Publix supermarket and he went to Clark Atlanta University. He was about to graduate from college when he passed away.

It is now 14 years since he's been gone. But I still donate and collect donations and I've been doing this for many years. I will keep on doing it to help fight this blood cancer.

- Jamaal's mom, Sharon Williams.

Sherri

I lost my dad to leukemia 20 years ago, fundraising all year in his honor for the year he knew about his diagnosis but didn’t tell anyone. We also lost his mom (grandma) to leukemia in 2002 and my mother-in-law in 2007 to leukemia. I proudly support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and try to donate every year, but this year, I hope to donate a big chunk to help current patients and their families.