Search Results
Halimeh
On June 3, 2014, I went to my local hospital for blood work after noticing unexplained bruising and nose bleed. That day changed my life forever.
John
I've been a cancer survivor since my bone marrow transplant at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance in 2004. I have minimal side effects and continue doing what I love -- spending time with family and friends, cycling, and teaching high school photography and video production. One year after my transplant I did my first Team In Training event, a century ride in Lake Tahoe. I continued to do four more events. My high school video students put on a film festival every year to support the Northwest Chapter of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Diane
Mary was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in May 2016. After a few rounds of chemotherapy that were ineffective in fighting the AML, she was transferred to a hospital specializing in AML research and has been participating in a medical trial.
This involved 75 hours of high intensity chemotherapy. She then spent 54 days in the hospital attached to an IV cart.
Her latest check-up revealed a few "stragglers" that need to be eliminated before she can proceed to transplant.
Ellie
Because she did not have symptoms, Ellie's diagnosis of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) at age four was incredibly shocking. Just one month after diagnosis, she was discharged from the hospital, already in remission. She responded extremely well to chemotherapy and very rarely felt sick. Ellie is now a healthy, very active 11 year old and a competitive gymnast, practicing 20 hours a week. She loves to play softball, hang with her friends, and go to the beach. Ellie is thankful to everyone who participates in the Light The Night Walk and helps kids like her fight cancer.
Emma
My dad, Panos, was diagnosed with kidney cancer when I was in the fourth grade. His cancer progressed very fast, and he passed away in 2019. My mom, Tricia, was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) shortly after. She has had many doctor appointments during this time, and I am so excited to be able to support her through it all and help raise awareness! I’ve spent most of my life surrounded by cancer, growing up visiting my grandma and dad in the hospital at a young age, and I am hoping to make a change by raising money for research and more.
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.
Leo
Five-year-old Leo was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) in June 2019. His parents had noticed bruising on his legs, petechiae around his eyes, fatigue, and shortness of breath, but because the symptoms didn’t present all at once, they didn’t think it was anything serious. Thankfully, on a Friday afternoon, Leo was due for a check-up where the nurse noticed the bruising on his legs and ordered a blood test.
Jonathan
This story is memory of my late fiancé, Jonathan Bentley, who passed away from acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) at the age of 33 after a week-long battle. Jon was a truly amazing person; the type that you wish everyone could meet once in their lifetime. Although he is now gone, I wish to honor his beautiful spirit by sharing a little bit about him.
Jay
Nana’s Heroes was started to honor Lois “Nana” Bowen. Jay, Nana’s grandson, was 13 when he found out she was sick. Around ninth grade, he wanted to do something about it. Although he couldn’t fix her all up or make her all better, he could help raise money to help find a cure for the awful disease that she had.
Blake
Blake was recently diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and is now in interim maintenance.
It all started with unexpected wrist and leg pain that turned into three years worth of treatments and procedures. We were told he was anemic so we took him in for iron supplements. He then got very constipated and had terrible side and tummy pains, which led us back into the ER. They gave us laxatives and sent us home.
Barry
I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in May of 2003. The diagnosis came after three or four months of tests attempting to diagnose a lump from my neck (which was ultimately removed). My wife and I were told that I had a disease that was considered treatable but not curable. My particular sub-type, follicular, has a tendency to reoccur. I was referred to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. The staging test results showed I had a very small amount of the disease on the whole, but it was present in my bone marrow, which is considered Stage IV, or
Ryan
At 22 years old, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). My first hospitalization was a month long which was followed by four more hospital stays for my chemotherapy treatments. In between each of those hospitalizations were home nursing visits, blood transfusions, doctor’s appointments, and even more hospitalizations to treat potentially life-threatening infections. I lost a total of 40 pounds throughout those months. Despite the many struggles I encountered during those months, I was able to successfully complete my treatments.
Nicole
I’m an eight-year survivor of leukemia. I was a happy, healthy young adult. I noticed my body was bruising, and I would fall asleep at work. I didn’t think anything of it, but the bruising kept coming. I have twin girls, and on their birthday, July 1, I went to the ER. They ran all kinds of tests. I felt fine actually. They came back and were talking about white blood counts and oncologists. I knew right then and there it was cancer. I had an appointment with an oncologist on July 5, my mom’s birthday, and went back to the ER. This time I was admitted. I had no idea what was going on.
Kailash
On April 20, my 79-year-old father was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after a routine blood test. A scientist, he explored all of his options thoroughly. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) was instrumental in providing us with accurate, up-to-date information about AML. He has chosen to prioritize his quality of life. Instead of chemo, he is spending his final chapter with friends, family, and favorite activities.
Ken
I have the unique opportunity to be both a bone marrow donor and a stem cell recipient in my journey!
In the 1980s, I registered with the C.W. Bill Young Bone Marrow Donation program while stationed at the Naval Hospital in Long Beach, CA.
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.
Clinical Trials
Taking part in a clinical trial may be the best therapy for some non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients. Clinical trials are under way to develop treatments that increase the remission rate of or cure the disease. Clinical trials are carefully designed and reviewed by expert clinicians and researchers to ensure safety and scientific accuracy. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society continues to invest funds in NHL research.
Click here to read more about clinical trials.
Dr. Wu
Catherine Wu, M.D., is focused on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). One aspect of her research is to gain greater understanding of the genetic underpinnings of CLL. She and her colleagues are studying the role that a mutated gene – SF3BL - plays in the development of CLL in order to develop improved strategies to treat CLL. Another focus on her lab is to develop an immunotherapy approach to treating CLL. She is working on employing a CLL-specific antigen to develop a personalized vaccine for patients with CLL. Dr.
Clinical Trials
When it comes to finding the right treatment for your child's cancer, a clinical trial may be an option. Your child will have access to new or improved therapies under study and not yet on the market. Discuss with your child's doctor the possibility of participating in a clinical trial, where treatment is administered in a safe, closely monitored environment.
Click here to read more about clinical trials.
Lisa
It was 2009. Obama had just been sworn in as president, captain Sully successfully landed United Airlines flight 1549 on the Hudson River during an aircraft malfunction, and all souls on board survived.
Austin
Four were spoken that day. Four crushing, breathtaking words, “Your son has cancer.” My world, my life, and my dreams for my son’s future suddenly halted while the rest of the world kept going on around us on May 14, 2011. Only days before, I was deciding what theme to have for his third birthday party and what outfit he would wear for his pictures. Days later, my husband and I were signing consents for the specific protocol of poison that would be pumped into Austin and having to digest the laundry list of possible side effects.