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Treatment
In general, the goal of treatment is to destroy as many lymphoma cells as possible and to induce a complete remission. Complete remission means that all evidence of disease is eliminated. Patients who go into remission are sometimes cured of their disease. Treatment can also keep non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in check for many years, even though imaging or other studies show remaining sites of disease. This situation may be referred to as a “partial remission.”
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.
Holly
In 2016, I joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Tennessee Chapter as a supportive member of Team Addie. I had friends who became team members the previous year, walking in Nashville’s Light The Night Walk (LTN), and they encouraged me to get involved in the cause with LLS and LTN. Nashville is a city that my friends and I have gained so much love for through the years. I must admit I was hesitant to join at first because blood cancer specifically hadn’t affected my life or the people in it.
Wendell
Wendell Ison was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) on June 6, 2006. It was through his own battle that he decided to create the team known as "Wendell's Warriors" as a way to give back and make a difference in people's lives by raising money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS).
Monica
As a First Connection® volunteer with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for almost two years, I have had the opportunity to connect with patients and survivors to share their stories and experiences while battling this deadly illness. Every day I come across so many touching and courageous stories that inspire me to do more and more to support this cause.
Louise
During the last week of July 2019, Louise, then-two-and-a-half-year-old, developed unusual red dots on her chest and some gnarly, yet explainable, bruises all over her body. We chalked the rash up to wearing an unwashed shirt and the bruises to being an extremely active two-year-old. Then, after her gums bled one afternoon, we hopped on Google and became increasingly concerned with the search results. However, Louise wasn’t acting “sick,” so her parents ignored Dr. Google’s diagnosis.
Matthew
In September, 2012, Dr. Matthew Levine noticed that his regular exercise routine and rotations in the ER were more physically draining than usual. When Dr. Levine realized he could no longer run a mile like he used to with ease, he contacted his physician.
In the interim, Dr. Levine began developing bruises on his body and a throat infection. He knew that after the testing, the diagnosis would not be good. On Monday, September 17, 2012. Dr. Levine learned he had acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Vickie
I was diagnosed in 1974 at the age of 24 with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). I had never even heard of it. The doctors did not know if I would survive as it was very aggressive. I had exploratory surgery (CAT scans and MRIs did not exist then as far as I know) and five weeks of radiation (I still glow in the dark, saves on night lights!!). Other than a couple of "unusual lymph nodes" over the years, I have been cancer-free. I went on to have two more great careers and was happily married for the first time at 49.
Ronnie
After several months of flu-like symptoms, 11-year-old All Star little leaguer Ronnie took a blood test that would determine his white blood cell count was nearly 1 million. Ronnie was immediately sent to Ann and Robert H. Lurie’s Children’s Hospital of Chicago where he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
Claudia
Light The Night (LTN) has allowed us to honor the memory of my niece Breyana.
Katie
I was diagnosed with Leukemia when I was 20 months old. I endured treatment for a little over 2 years until I was declared cancer free. Since I was diagnosed so young, I do not remember the treatment. However, I do remember the support from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) as my family participated in the LLS’s Light The Night walk every year for the past 18 years!
Every Year Counts: Celebrating My Healing from Hodgkin Lymphoma
Many blood cancer survivors remember the day they were diagnosed, and they never forget it. For Racheli Alkobey Peltier—Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)— when that date comes around, it’s a chance to mark her progress.
Each year, Racheli marks important milestones in her experience with blood cancer—taking time to reflect, feel gratitude, and look ahead. These dates are her “cancerversaries.”
4 Perspectives on How Nonprofits Help
If you want to change the world, there’s more than one way to do it. You could start in your community, helping friends and neighbors. You could also turn to a nonprofit organization—as a volunteer, donor, advocate, or even by joining the staff—to widen your impact.
We know a lot of changemakers at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Passionate, amazing people who work hard to help us make life better for blood cancer patients, survivors, and their families. They know that we can make the most progress toward a world without blood cancer together.
Rommy Omarys
My younger sister was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2022. She is the youngest of four siblings. I am the oldest, and for me, she has always been my baby sister. We all go through different difficulties ― family, personal, economic life, etc. ― but when a disease affects your body to the degree of being between life and death, the perspective is different. With the greatest sadness in the world and the possibility of not seeing my sister again in this physical plane, I never lost hope. The light in the dark was always strong and bright.
Liam
In April 2015, Liam was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) when he was just one-and-a-half years old. After living in the hospital for four months of intensive treatment, Liam went into remission in July 2015!
He got back to an active life and was enjoying being a normal kid. He had the honor of being LLS’s 2016 Honored Hero. He and his mother attended many LLS events to share his story. Liam was set to kick off the Light The Night walk but unfortunately, Liam relapsed right before the event and had to endure more chemo.
Sal
Meet Sal. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Survivor. Florida. Sal was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) before his daughter Olivia celebrated her first birthday. After multiple courses of treatment proved unsuccessful, he underwent a bone marrow transplant in September 2011. Now, almost three years later, Olivia is almost 5 and her Daddy is celebrating his "three-year post-transplant birthday"! Sal is healthy and strong - and has the energy to play and laugh with her. Most beautiful of all, he can now dream of being at her side for all kinds of birthdays to come.
Riley
On October 17, 2023, my life took a turn I never saw coming. My doctor sat me down and told me, "You have leukemia." It felt like the ground had shifted beneath my feet. I was scared, couldn't believe it was happening, and had no idea what the future held.
Johanna
On April 5, 2019, my life changed forever. What started as a simple ER visit for some light chest pain turned into a two-and-a-half-year battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). During treatment, I had many ups and downs but pushed myself through online courses at my university. One of the many things that brought me joy during this time was how much support I had from friends, family, and even complete strangers. My university held a Light The Night (LTN) event, and it was amazing seeing all the support from my community.
Heather
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk serves as an inspiring, empowering and comforting event, made possible by those who share, remember, and advocate for the fight against cancer. Each year, we here at LLS are graced with countless stories that demonstrate and display the spirit of this event. Heather Lee’s story is one of them.
Allie
I received a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) at age 24 right before the pandemic started. I finished chemo in April 2020 and have been cancer-free ever since. I’ve participated in Light The Night (LTN) since 2029 and have raised over $100,000.
Heather
Heather Banks draws her inspiration from her good friend, who has been fighting non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma for the past 10 years and her college best friend who is a survivor. She is motivated by her friends’ strength, determination, and positivity. In times of feeling helpless, she channels that energy and puts it into her sewing machine.
Freia
Freia was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at the age of 8. She and her family had just landed in Denmark for a family vacation when her parents noticed something wasn't right. After several trips to the hospital, they drove to Sweden where Freia’s grandparents live. It was there that her family heard those awful words, “Freia has cancer.”
Addie
Charles Esten, an actor/musician who plays Deacon Claybourne on the TV show “Nashville,” is this year’s Light The Night Walk National Honorary Chair. Esten’s 15-year-old daughter, Addie, was diagnosed with leukemia at age 2 1/2 and, thanks to advances in treatment, is thriving today. Because of their personal connection to blood cancer, Charles, his wife Patty, and the entire Esten clan are strong supporters of LLS.