Search Results
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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!
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.
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.
AML Subtype
Determining the AML subtype is an important factor in treatment planning for your child. This determination is made based on certain features of the leukemia cells identified with the diagnostic tests. The doctor will speak with you about the drugs and “treatment protocols” (detailed plans of treatments and procedures) that are indicated based on your child’s AML subtype.
Clinical Trials
Taking part in a clinical trial may be the best treatment choice for some Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients. Clinical trials are under way to develop treatments that increase the remission rate or cure the disease. Today's standard treatments for cancer are based on earlier clinical trials. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society continues to invest funds in HL research.
Click here to read more about clinical trials.
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.
Aiden
On November 6, 2022, God spoke to me and told me to take Aiden to the hospital. He had a lingering cough and random fevers that would come and go over the month. I took my parents to Philly airport and stopped by Nemours in Wilmington. I figured they would run some tests, and I would be told he had some infection. We would get medications and be on our way. When the nurse examined him, she asked about anything else going on. I mentioned he has had a lot of bruising lately, but he does karate and is a typical boy. We looked over his whole body, and I had not realized he had so many bruises!
Relapsed and Refractory
Refractory AML: Most patients achieve a remission (an absence of signs and symptoms) after initial treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, some patients have residual leukemic cells in their marrow even after intensive treatment. Patients who have not achieved complete remission after two cycles of induction chemotherapy are usually diagnosed as having "refractory AML."
Treatment Outcomes
Treatment outcomes for people with CLL vary widely, and expected outcomes are influenced by the
- Stage of the disease
- Presence or lack of various factors associated with higher-risk disease
- Overall health of the patient
- Other considerations.
Current research suggests that newer treatment combinations and approaches may improve the length of survival. People with CLL should consult with their doctors to discuss individual potential outcomes. For survival statistics, click here.
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.