Search Results

Auden

Eight-year-old Auden was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in May 2015 – one month after him and his twin sister, Emery, celebrated their third birthday.

Immediately, Auden underwent aggressive treatment causing him to have blood stream infections, anaphylactic reactions, kidney stones and broken bones, just to name a few. But he kept a positive attitude through it all and Emery has been by his side, cheering him on at every stage of his cancer journey.

Auden’s treatment continued until August 2018, and today, he is proud to say he is cancer-free!

Myra

Over the course of Myra’s career in oncology nursing, she’s seen the hurdles that families face and heard from patients about the daily struggles to access the care they need to stay alive. Unfortunately, she is too familiar with patients who are forced to choose between life-saving treatment and going against a doctor’s recommended treatment plan simply because the cost is too high.

Molly

Molly was just 2 years old when diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).  We noticed a few petechiae on her back and went to see her pediatrician.  Two days later she was having surgery to have a mediport placed and starting chemotherapy.

The first few months were horrible.  She lost the ability to walk or even sit up due to the steroids she took daily.  She was a zombie and didn't talk or smile.  It was so sad to watch her so lifeless.  Often times we cried and cried and felt helpless. 

Rhonda

In 2012, I was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. I had 10 rounds of radiation and six treatments of chemotherapy (R-Chop). It was a very rough journey, however, by the grace of God, the love of family, and of course, the wonderful doctors and advances in cancer treatments I persevered through.

Marie and Miguel

Miguel was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in early 2017. He was an active, healthy man his entire life, so this diagnosis came as a total shock. Both he and his wife didn't know what to expect or what the outcome would be and were both beyond devastated. After surgery, chemotherapy, numerous procedures, and hospital stays, Miguel and his wife were thrilled to hear the doctors say he had no evidence of disease as of late 2017.

Courtney

In 2007, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After a long and painful 2 year and 3 month treatment full of chemotherapy, a coma, IV's. etc., I finally finished treatment. Around 2008, I began working with LLS to share my story and since then, I have continued to share my story through different programs held by LLS. Throughout the last 11 years I have been with LLS, they not only helped countless people, but they have also treated me like family and have always asked me about my life and they truly care.

Peter

I do not aspire to be a hero, I just want other patients to realize that any one of us can have a long life after receiving such a horrible diagnosis. Times may be difficult but anything is possible.

On September 5, 2015, I celebrated the 25th anniversary of my autologous bone marrow transplant for non-Hodgkin lymphoma that took place at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.  I want to thank my wife, children, and the many doctors, nurses, and technicians who treated me and continue to look after me in my senior citizen years.

Adelaide

I was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in September 2014 when I was six years old. I relapsed three additional times between 2014 and 2021. I had a bone marrow transplant in 2020 during COVID-19 and relapsed again six months after the transplant. In July 2021, I received huCART-meso cells at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Since that time, I have remained in remission. 

Janel

Throughout my childhood, my grandmother instilled in me the importance of helping those in need and gave generously to various charities and organizations. Her unwavering dedication to serving others inspired me to continue her legacy and give back to my community.

Tom

I was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in January 2023. I am very thankful for all the research that has led up to medications and treatments that I am able to benefit from today. God has a plan, and I feel a large aspect of that plan is bringing together those with needs and those with resources to help. It is so overwhelming to me to understand that there are those who support this wonderful research even though they don't have a name or face to tie it to. Through their generosity, people like me can continue living.

Jaden

When I was nominated to be a Student Visionary of the Year, I had no idea how it would impact my life. I was allowed to join a groundbreaking philanthropic leadership development program for high school students. Throughout my courageous seven-week journey, I had a goal of creating a world without blood cancers. It was bigger than winning; it was about making a real impact on the world around me. I learned business marketing skills, used effective communication tools, and met with fellow change-makers in my local area. By the end of the campaign, I felt like a new person.

Fernando

I am a 26-year-old cancer survivor and am about to begin my first year of law school.

Rachel

My name is Rachel. My tribal affiliation is full-blood Chickasaw/Creek/Seminole. I am 19 years old and will be entering my second year at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma. I attended Little Axe Schools from Kindergarten to my senior year of high school. Little Axe is a rural community school outside of Norman, Oklahoma. My parents are both full-blood Natives, and I have an older brother (25) and a younger brother (16). My older brother, Caleb, is a state trooper for the State of Oklahoma. My younger brother, Andrew, will be starting the 10th grade at Little Axe High School.

James

My symptoms began in May 2017. I was having shortness of breath while climbing stairs and jogging up even the smallest of inclines. I chalked my windedness to age; I was fifty-seven. And I told myself that I was tired after teaching a hectic school year.

Watch-and-Wait

Some people with MDS who do not have very low blood cell counts or other symptoms may not need to start treatment immediately. Some people can manage their MDS with their doctors for years or even decades using a watch-and-wait (observation) approach. By using the watch-and-wait method, your MDS specialist can monitor your condition with regular physical exams and blood tests. The watch-and-wait approach lets you avoid therapy's side effects until you need treatment. Treating MDS during this early stage has not proved helpful. 

Relapsed and Refractory

Relapsed CLL is the term for disease that returns after it has been in remission for more than six months. 

Refractory disease is the term for CLL that does not result in remission after initial therapy. 

Lowering High White Blood Cell Counts

Some patients may have very high white blood cell (WBC) counts at the time of diagnosis. These elevated WBC counts can sometimes impair blood flow to the brain, lungs, eyes and other sites, and also cause damage in small blood vessels.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a drug therapy that stimulates the immune system. Interferon, a type of immunotherapy, is a substance made naturally by the immune system, but it can also be made in the laboratory. Interferon reduces the growth and division of cancer cells.

Kelly

This is a photo of my best friend and I -- my Grandma Smiley and I. Grandma Smiley was first diagnosed with Llukemia in 2000. Until just recently she was still fighting, 15 years later.

My Grandma Smiley is the toughest person I know. I spent countless weekends with her, getting spoiled with her kindness. I'll never forget how she would always take me to Taco Bell for dinner, and we would watch TV while we ate - two things my parents would never let me do. And waking up at Grandma Smiley's always meant waking up to the best homemade waffles you'll ever have.

Shelley

Shelley was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma in September of 2010 after finding a lump behind her ear. Testing showed she was in stage 3 and had a tumor in her large intestine. Her doctors went before the tumor board, where several other medical experts reviewed her options, to determine whether she should have surgery or chemotherapy. Approximately two weeks later she ended up having emergency open colon surgery and surgeons found another tumor blocking her small intestine.

Katie

Katie is a beautiful young girl who was diagnosed with T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on January 24, 2015. Her cancer is particularly aggressive and presented with subtle signs such as lethargy, loss of appetite, and just a general change in personality. Her family took her to the ER just to find that she had masses in her lungs, liver and spleen.

Dianne

When I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to be a nurse so I could help people. I did become a registered nurse, predominately in critical care settings. So, when you receive a disease diagnosis, you treat the problem…right? Not necessarily I have learned.

I was recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). I felt as if I was tumbling down a dark, hot hole. “Not curable, treatable, lifelong”. This is “watch and wait” protocol diagnosis…an overwhelming concept…”watch and worry”, I was told, was another concept.

Ryan

I am a 12 year survivor of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and was heavily involved with LLS when I was a patient going through treatment. I was a part of the Honored Hero program during elementary and middle school and would go speak and tell my story to schools in the Cincinnati Tri-State area with my mother.

Ryan

I am a cancer and bone marrow transplant survivor. In June 2013, at the end of my eighth grade, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). On top of that, it was the worst subtype of AML and my outlook was considered very grim.

Miguel

Miguel was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2017. He was an active, healthy man all his life so this came as a total shock. We didn't know what to expect or what the outcome would be and we were both beyond devastated.

As being inquisitive is my nature, I gathered all the information I could and became extremely proactive in my husband's care and my determination to get him healed from this disease. Giving up was NOT an option for either of us.