Search Results

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).

Louis

Louis had been on a journey to achieve greater health. For 10 months, he had been on a healthy diet and exercise program and had lost 80 pounds. His doctors were pleased and he was able to stop taking most medications he was on.  However when he went for an annual physical he was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) at only the age of 33.

Michael

My story is not so unlike many others. In May 2005, just two months after I retired, I was looking forward to the start of a terrific period of my life spending time with my family, traveling, relaxation and golf That's when I got that dreaded call: “Mr. Blackman, you need to come into my office. We need to talk.”

Ashley

I had acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in 2013. I went in to have surgery to remove all four of my wisdom teeth and never stopped bleeding after surgery. The doctor called those miracle teeth instead of wisdom teeth because that is how we found out I had leukemia and they saved my life.

The first few weeks were very difficult in the hospital and my life was literally turned upside down in the blink of an eye. I was a single mom of two young daughters and it was so hard for them to understand how I was suddenly so sick.

Laniya

I was truly blessed to be introduced to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by workers from Duquesne Light Company as well as my daughter, Ebony Jennings who works as a customer service representative for Duquesne Light Company in Pittsburgh PA. First, I must boast about my granddaughter, Laniya S. White, because she’s a TRUE fighter and never allowed lymphoma to define her.

Myra

At age 2, Myra began having fevers and joint pain. Her parents took her to their pediatrician where she had bloodwork done. The results came back normal except it showed she was a little anemic.

“Myra never had any bruising or any issues other than the recurring fever,” according to her father.

Zainab

I'll never forget the call I received on April 17, 2017, when my then-three-year-old niece, Zainab, was diagnosed with leukemia. At the time, she was a bubble-blowing, pose-striking, diva princess. But for the next 2½ years, she became a tiny superhero whose mission was slaying the evil villain cancer. I've always felt a special connection to Zainab starting from the day she was born ― on my birthday, which I also happen to share with my younger sister Noura.

Penny Man (Jonathan)

My name is Jonathan, but I really like to be called "The Penny Man.” I have been collecting pennies for over 15 years and then donating them to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). I first started collecting in high school in 2006 when a classmate of mine passed away from leukemia. My teacher, Mrs. Jean Cassetta, started a schoolwide campaign in partnership with LLS in memory of our friend Andrew, and I never stopped saving pennies since.

Mollie

Although I was a cancer patient many years ago, survivorship is a journey I take every day. Ever since my diagnosis, I’ve spent my free time engaging with the childhood cancer community and learning more about myself.

Sherry

Diagnosis

An accurate diagnosis of the type of leukemia is important. The exact diagnosis helps the doctor to estimate how the disease will progress and determine the appropriate treatment

Diagnosing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and your AML subtype usually involves a series of tests. Some of these tests may be repeated during and after therapy to measure the effects of treatment.

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.

Laila

Laila was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) three months after her second birthday. She is the only girl and her three older brothers are very protective of her. She is our little Warrior Princess, in August, 2015, she reached remission and has been an inspiration to all who meet her. She is truly amazing. Our lives have forever been changed.

Javier

Javier was diagnosed with pre b ALL leukemia in October 2017. He was in and out of the hospital for over a year and he has been through a lot.

Javier is so young and still goes for chemo every month and now we are having a pandemic of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and he is trying to stay safe and at home.

He brings light to everyone he sees. He is a very friendly and respectful young boy.

Da’Ni

Thirteen-year-old Da’Ni was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in July 2018. She endured eight months of intense treatment before starting maintenance therapy. Da’Ni is currently six months in to maintenance and back in school. She’s an 8th grader and a straight A student. Da’Ni plans to go to medical school and become an oncologist to help children like herself one day.

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!

William

Hi, my name is William Yank and I am a 23-year-old, three-time leukemia survivor from Indiana. My story begins at the end of my junior year of college. I had just secured an internship in Washington D.C and was excited to finally spend a summer on my own. The summer started off pretty rough. I struggled to find affordable housing in D.C, I had no idea how the transportation system worked, and food was twice as expensive as compared to Indiana. Not to mention, I was only 20-years-old having fun was next to impossible.

Addison

Florida is my happy place. It's where I've vacationed for over three decades. And when my husband and I had kids, it became our family's happy place too. Schedules are forbidden on vacation. We tell time by the sun as we sit on the beach with our feet in the sand, watching the tide roll in and out. While on vacation, we celebrate birthdays ― and they're done up big ― because that's the only way that we know how to celebrate birthdays ― BIG.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) usually involves ruling out other similar diseases such as chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia, especially if your child is older than 6 years. Doctors commonly use blood tests and bone marrow tests to diagnose JMML.

The tests used to diagnose JMML include:

CMML Subtypes

Most people diagnosed with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) have one of three different subtypes of CMML. Doctors classify CMML subtypes by the percentage of blast cells ("blasts") in the blood and bone marrow.

Doctors use a classification system developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2001 and updated in 2016. The three subtypes are:

Chemotherapy and Drug Therapy

If you're being treated for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), your first line of defense may be drug therapy. You'll be given potent drugs that must be toxic enough to damage or kill the cancer cells. At the same time, these drugs take aim at normal cells and cause side effects. Yet, not everyone experiences side effects and people react differently. 

There is no one standard treatment for CMML. There are three FDA approved treatments for patients, which include:

Minerva

On October 6, 2015, at 26 years old, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A month later, I was in remission. I completed six months of chemotherapy and am so grateful to be back at my normal life.

One thing I learned early on is that when one person is diagnosed with cancer, so are their friends and family. My journey has not been one I have gone through alone, I have gone through it with the love and support of the people I love.

Mary Kay

Hello, my name is Mary Kay Hettick. I've always thought I was in good health until, in October 2013 when I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). My life was never the same after that.  I endured many days in the hospital doing chemotherapy and having a bone marrow transplant.

Today, I've been in remission for almost five years! If your fighting AML, know that your in good hands. 

Robert

I was diagnosed on August 28, 1999 with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). I was told at that time that I would not survive the next week.

Well, at 28 years old, I did not accept that sentence. With a lot of good medical technology and the love of my family and friends, I was able to overcome the odds. I am going on my 16th year cancer free. I do have a lot of health issues due to the intense chemotherapy but I am blessed to still be here.

Taylor

Meet Taylor Carol. survivor to singer. Taylor started singing in the 4th grade, until he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at just 11 years old. For about 2 years Taylor's health kept him from singing, but after he went in remission he came back with an even greater passion. Since then Taylor have been given the chance to sing at incredible venues and share his inspirational story of hope and passion.