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Anthonise
Anthonise has triumphed over adversity, facing her fourth diagnosis of marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MZL). The first three times were stage 3 and now stage 4. Bravely confronting these challenges head-on, she remains unbowed and determined to inspire others with her story. Her story provides a glimpse into Anthonise's experiences, highlighting her extraordinary journey and the lessons she has gleaned along the way.
A. Timothy Lunsford-Stevens JD
In 1970, I was playing baseball in high school as a freshman, playing second base. A bully made a hit and ran from first to second base, tackling me. I got into a fight with him because of the pain I was feeling in my left hand. After the fight, I needed to go to the hospital. In setting my broken hand, they also did a blood test. The results showed why my hand was so fragile; I had acute myeloid leukemia (AML). I had chemotherapy but no radiation or other treatment. I lived in Georgia and went to MD Anderson in Houston for chemotherapy.
Suzanne
In January 2021, I received my diagnosis after five months of multiple doctor visits, blood work, and biopsies. I had no common symptoms such as night sweats or fatigue, just a small lump behind my ear. It was removed, and the pathology came back as non-cancerous. About six or so weeks later, another lump showed up. I decided to switch doctors, and they also didn't feel it was cancer based on my chart. But after they removed it, the pathology shared a much different story.
Tammy
In February 2023, I developed a cough that would not go away. I went to the doctor twice. Both times I was told it was “long COVID,” and it would eventually go away. I continued with my life as normal and even went on a week-long trip to New York in April where I did a live Peloton Cycle class to celebrate my 400th ride (a milestone and dream come true for me). By the time I got home from New York, I was in bad shape. The cough had progressed, and daily activities were difficult.
Patricia
I marked my 19th year of being cancer-free from non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) on August 16, 2024. From February (on my 57th birthday!) to August 2005, I received seven rounds of R-CHOP, the gold treatment back then in the world and in Serbia where I live. Upon learning of my cancer diagnosis, I went through all the usual stages ― disbelief, denial, not using the C-word for months, acceptance, then defiance. I lost my hair but kept my positive outlook and sense of humor. After all, it does absolutely no good to pity oneself. At that time, I was involved in a local NHL support group.
Dorothy
Dorothy Spriggs was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in 1999 and is currently doing well.
Since 2011, “Ms. Dottie” has volunteered with the Baltimore chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She does office work regularly, participates in events and volunteers as a peer counselor to support others living with the same diagnosis.
Wendy
I am a 3-time Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivor. I underwent two stem cell transplants. The first transplant was my own stem cells, the second transplant was a donor transplant. My baby sister was my donor (she was a 6/6 match); I was very lucky. I underwent three years of radiation and chemotherapy and have been in remission now 12 years. Since then, I have gotten involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). I first started by creating a fashion show to raise money for LLS.
Lashi
Lashi, a Chesterfield native, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2011 at 26 years old after discovering a lump under the left side of her chin. Luckily, her lymphoma was detected at an early stage. After going through painful radiation treatments and losing her hair, she received an all-clear report in March of 2012. Lashi credits her support system for helping her during that difficult time: "Throughout my treatment, I had great support and constant encouragement, which I know was important for me.
Miranda
A little over a year ago, I finished a treatment that saved my life and gave me purpose. In October 2016, I was diagnosed with stage IV of Hodgkin lymphoma and was fortunate enough to receive medical care that allowed me to conquer my cancer journey.
Janet
I support LLS because leukemia and lymphoma has impacted my family. On Mother’s Day in 2006, my cousin's six year-old daughter, Sydney was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). After a year of fighting so hard, Sydney passed away.
The doctors at the New York Hospital were amazed and acknowledge that because Sydney did not give up and she fought such a painful battle, she had done so much for the advancement of research in leukemia.
Nathan
Nathan is a young, T-cell lymphoma (TCL) survivor. He just rang the “end of treatment bell” a couple of months ago. His dad, Andy, is a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Minnesota/North Dakota/South Dakota board and a major donor to The LLS Children’s Initiative through their family foundation’s fundraising.
Melody
In November 2021, at just 24, Melody was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) after experiencing severe symptoms like profuse sweating, significant weight loss, and intense itching for the previous six months. After two biopsies and CT and PET scans, a tumor the size of a baseball growing quietly was discovered in her chest. She started treatment at City of Hope, enduring eight rounds of chemotherapy and six rounds of an immunotherapy trial. Her final treatment was on June 1, 2022, and she has been in remission for two years.
Tina
As a lymphoma survivor, I want to take a moment to share my personal journey, as well as tell you all how The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) was with me every step of the way.
It all started in March 2018. We had been living in the UK with our two young daughters, and life was good! I had been feeling tired and had this hollow sound behind my ear. I saw doctors in both the UK and the U.S. who assured me it was most likely just my body trying to get over a sinus infection.
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:
Sally
In January 2021, my new life journey was about to begin. After doctor visits, bloodwork, testing, and finally complete shock, the diagnosis of cancer was given to me and my family, large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). We were in disbelief but ready to fight. As my oncologist stated, “You have an aggressive form of cancer, we will treat you aggressively, and it is potentially curable.” Those last two words were what I needed to hear. Let the fight begin.
Chase Malone
I am a Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor. It took me seven months to build up the courage to share my story, but if my story inspires even just one other patient like myself, I’d be more than grateful.
I was 21 and had just graduated a year early from Florida State University with my finance degree. I moved to Miami to start my dream career in commercial real estate investment finance. I was seemingly on top of the world before tragedy struck.
Emily
My daughter, Emily is my hero! She is 25 years old and was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in June 2018. Her initial symptoms started with a cough and her losing weight while we lived in Texas, which we assumed was from her working her new job, which was very physical. We left Texas May 26 and drove from Fort Hood to Massachusetts, almost 2000 miles. None of us knew Emily was so sick. It took us four days to get back home.
Miguel
In 2017, I found out I had non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). I was always a healthy person who exercised almost daily at the time, so this came as a complete shock. I immediately wanted to start treatment; the sooner the better. My wife did all the research and investigating into where I could find the best treatment as quickly as possible. We were emotionally devastated by the entire ordeal.
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.
Robert
I am a three-time survivor of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). First, I received full mantle radiation therapy in 1986, followed by chemotherapy in 1994, and finally a bone marrow transplant in 2004. I am now 17 years cancer-free. I owe my life to my oncologists, Winship Cancer Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and my wife. I was a First Connection® Program volunteer with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for 10 years, but I dropped out because medical technology was developing so fast.
Laura
My mom raised seven kids before finding out she had myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and lymphoma, as well as Parkinson’s. She was going through treatment for the blood cancers, getting infusions of Rituxan® for the lymphoma, and transfusions of usually two units of blood when her red blood cell count was too low. We (us kids who live local) would sit with her (whoever was available) for the six+ hours it took for whichever treatment she was getting at the time. We played cards, fed her chocolate ice cream, laughed, and visited.
Georgia
Today I would like to give thanks to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. With the fantastic staff, and volunteers we have truly come so far. As an ALL survivor, Team In Training Alumni, and participant it is so amazing to see what we have all done for blood cancer patients and their families.
Sarah
On October 19, 2023, I went to urgent care for a cough that wouldn't go away. Turns out, it was a little more than a cough. A large mass in my chest was causing pneumonia. Two weeks later, I finally had a name for the mass ― primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL). One thing that was very important to me early on in my cancer journey was fertility preservation. I knew that the chemotherapy I would get would put me at risk for infertility, so I advocated for myself and got an early referral to the reproductive and endocrinology (REI) clinic near me.