Inspirational Stories

When I was just under two years old, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). My brother was born just a few days later, and it became an extremely difficult time for my family. Because I was so young, I do not remember most of my treatments that lasted until I was almost five years old. The closest place for treatment was Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, which was a three-hour drive away. Weekend trips to KC became normal, which meant lots of gas money and fast food. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) was there to provide gas money and gift cards for amenities we didn’t know we missed. The support system they provided consistently supplied hope for me and my family. In 2007, I was officially cancer-free and have been healthy since. I use my experiences and platform to talk about being a cancer survivor and having a new appreciation for life. I am thankful for those who supported me and my family during that difficult time. LLS took care of my family and offered an unrivaled support system. I decided to do Light The Night (LTN) to celebrate being a survivor.