Inspirational Stories

I was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in February 2022. I endured six months of chemotherapy and relied on my girlfriend to be my caregiver. I faced many setbacks including remaining neutropenic for the majority of my treatment. This meant staying home 24/7 despite going to the hospital and spending a lot of time online.

My experience with cancer was transformative for me in the sense that it gave me the motivation and confidence to pursue the things I wanted after I was deemed in remission. After spending the better part of a year being completely isolated, I was exposed to many online cancer communities and support resources that helped launch me into my own volunteering and advocacy efforts. I discovered how important community was and how that word applies to the friends you meet online who can understand what you're going through. This inspired me to start an online support group for LGBTQ+ cancer patients and survivors.

Fortunately, I have been in remission for a year as of September 12, 2023. I’m extremely grateful for the work The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) does to support and empower people like me. I look forward to continuing to meet individuals affected by cancer.