Search Results

Heath Ponder named as member of the National Philanthropy Committee

Kelly

In January 2020, I was a 21-year-old full-time pre-medical student diagnosed with Stage 2E Nodular Sclerosis Classical Hodgkin lymphoma, about three weeks after getting engaged to the love of my life and primary caregiver, Alex. We put our entire lives on hold to begin this battle, but we had a huge support network that cheered us on with the slogan, "Let's Get Excited." I was treated for my cancer at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, where Dr. Jessica Snider & Dr. Kimberly Creach successfully cured my cancer.

Howard

Twelve years ago, I found out I had stage 4 grey zone lymphoma (GZL), a hybrid lymphoma that only about 10 people have had and only about three people have survived. Getting this news as a 28-year-old man just getting started in life was like having the weight of the world on my shoulders, and I didn’t even know how to deal with it. Luckily, I found a lymphoma specialist, Dr. Andre Goy of Memorial Sloan Kettering, who was bringing his expertise to Hackensack Meridian Health in New Jersey. I feel like there was some divine intervention here.

Diane

My journey with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) started in 2015 when my spouse was diagnosed with orbital lymphoma.   I have been working in the oncology field for the past 20 years. Hearing the words my spouse has cancer was scary.  After meeting with the oncologist he did not need treatments watch and wait approach was great news. Proudly he got to the 5 year benchmark and he is well.  Then 2019 I started to have all abdominal issues. Pain, pressure in abdomen as well in my back. We did multiple scans all negative.

Terry

At age 69, I was diagnosed with stage IIIA nodal marginal zone lymphoma (NMZL) following a neck lymph node biopsy, PET scan, and a bone marrow biopsy. It’s a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). I had enlarged lymph nodes in my neck, axilla bilaterally, and groin bilaterally. However, the bone marrow biopsy showed no lymph node enlargement. I began infusion therapy of bendamustine and rituximab the third week of December and every fourth Thursday and Friday forward for eight months. The PET scan on August 1, 2016, showed marked improvement with very small, rarely scattered lymphocytes.

Tak Wah Mak, Ph.D.

A Leading Scientist Studying Precision Medicine Approaches for Leukemia and Lymphoma

Dr. Tak Wah Mak is one of the world’s most cited and accomplished scientists. After earning his PhD, Mak was recruited by the Ontario Cancer Institute (now Princess Margaret Cancer Centre) in Toronto, Canada for a postdoctoral fellowship. 

Sarah

In August of 2014, after a routine medical procedure, doctors suspected that Sarah may have a lymphoma type cancer. Soon thereafter, with her husband by her side, doctors confirmed that Sarah indeed had cancer, stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma.

Gil

I was sitting alone in a stark, clean examination room on September 16, 2021, at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Brookline, Massachusetts when my oncologist walked in. I called my spouse and son on my cell phone so they could hear the results.

Bryan (Hennessy)

My name is Bryan, but most know me by my stage name Hennessy Williams. I was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin Burkitt lymphoma (BL) on July 1st, 2005. I was 20 years old.  It was the hardest battle I ever faced, I am lucky to be here, I am lucky to be alive. I am alive because I had a tremendous amount of support from my family and friends, not everyone is blessed with this option.

Daphne

I was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in July 2022 after two years of being sick. I underwent 12 rounds of A+AVD chemotherapy for six months. It was a difficult journey, but I had an amazing oncology team who let me be actively involved in my treatment. I was born disabled and have had a lot of experiences in hospitals. So, I thought I would be prepared for this journey. I was wrong. I was only 24 years old when I got diagnosed and felt like I had my whole life ahead of me. As an advocate for environmental issues, I was used to traveling and working non-stop.

Michael

On January 3, 2020, I was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma(BL)with brain metastasis, and kidney and liver failure. During my four rounds of chemo, I had gone septic three different times, acquired nerve damage, and lost the ability to walk. After going into remission on August 6, 2020, I was tasked with relearning to walk. From April 2020 to January 2021. I was wheelchair-bound. Now as of Christmas 2021, I am walking on my own and in complete remission. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)gave my family so much help during my journey.

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.

Lisa

I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin follicular lymphoma in December 1995 after finding a lump in my neck. My son had just turned 7 years old and I was so afraid I would not be around to see him grow up.

Today, my son is almost 27.  I have gone though many battles with this illness throughout my 20-year fight. I've taken pills, I've had chemotherapy and last year I finished radiation. I currently have two tumors but I am on a "watch and wait" protocol. No symptoms and no treatments.

Lena

In 2018, I had what I thought was a urinary tract infection (UTI). It ended up being a tumor in my bladder the size of a lime. It turned out to be diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (DLBCL). I ended up doing six rounds of R-CHOP chemo with Neulasta® and a month of radiation afterward. I am grateful to be alive but do have lingering side effects with chemo brain/memory loss, neuropathy in my hands and right arm, loss of taste for certain foods/drinks, and weight gain from prednisone.

Christian

Christian Macias survived two battles with cancer, the first being in 2010. He was diagnosed with stage 2 Non-Hodgkin Burkitt’s lymphoma (NHL). He fought long and hard. Unfortunately, a few years later in 2017, his cancer came back in a different form. This time he was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). It had spread throughout part of his body, but once again he fought long and hard, and he beat it! Sadly, his cancer came back once again.

Virginia

Last August I was diagnosed with stage 2A Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). I was going into my senior year, but instead of going to my first day of school, I had to go to my first day of chemotherapy. In October, after two full cycles of chemo, I got to ring my cancer-free bell and begin my recovery process. Today, I am in the process of growing back all my red hair and training to play Division One soccer at George Mason University in the fall.

Kate

In April 2023, I went to the doctor for an MRI for what I thought was a torn meniscus in my left knee. Unfortunately, that MRI showed that there was a growth on my left femur. After two full months of testing, surgery, and some more testing, I was officially diagnosed with primary lymphoma of the bone (PLB). This type of lymphoma is pretty rare, so I immediately turned to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for resources and guidance on how to navigate the scariest time of my life. The next month of my life was a whirlwind.

Rebecca

Less than one month before finishing her clinical fellowship year as a speech-language pathologist, Becca was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Her life, as well as that of her family, friends, and dog (Clifford), were turned upside down.

Paul

I have had the opportunity to know Paul since he was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma (BL). Paul has an energy that makes it so you will like him instantly and this is exactly what happened. I have had my share of patient's lose their battle over the years so I am very cautious now of who I allow in my bubble. I am certain that even if I had not allowed Paul and his wife Carrie into mine they would have found a way in anyhow. Paul sailed thru R-Chop like a champ. I introduced The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) and the work that you do for the Cohen's at this time.

Alacia

My darkest day, May 1, 2022. Alacia, my daughter, is a strong-willed, beautiful young woman. She had just turned 23 years of age and began experiencing small symptoms that I, her mother and a nurse of 24 years, chalked up to nothing. She was itching ― it was winter, and your skin was dry. She was short of breath ― you are recovering from COVID and have post-COVID funk. She started to vomit and get sick with right upper quadrant pain ― probably just your gallbladder and having gallbladder attacks that need to be checked out.

Janice

At the age of 56, I was diagnosed with T-cell B-cell lymphoma. The diagnosis was made in May 2021. Although diagnosed at the Washington D.C. Veterans Hospital, I was referred to the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. I was blessed to be placed in a clinical trial as the first patient with this form of lymphoma. 

Elmer

Hey, I appreciate the work of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). I did the Facebook fundraiser in honor of my friend Mr. Larry in Florida who is now in remission after being diagnosed with leukemia. He’s a dear friend of mine, and he has a lot of courage and determination to beat this illness. I wanted to do this to help raise money for LLS and for all those who face an uncertain future. I’m planning to do 31 days instead of just 21 because I feel many people exceeded their miles per day in very cold conditions while I just walked mine inside on the job where I walk a lot.

Jonecia

At the age of 23, I was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma in early March of 2020. It was caught in stage 2. With this being my first sickness, I honestly did not know how to take it. I’ve never been sick, ever, and this was something new to me. I was honestly scared at the beginning of this new journey.

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. 

NHL Staging

Once your doctor confirms an NHL diagnosis, he or she will determine the extent of your disease's progression by staging. Staging helps your doctor predict the disease's progression and develop a treatment plan.

Imaging Tests

Your doctor conducts one or more imaging tests along with a physical exam, to evaluate: