Inspirational Stories

On October 17, 2023, my life took a turn I never saw coming. My doctor sat me down and told me, "You have leukemia." It felt like the ground had shifted beneath my feet. I was scared, couldn't believe it was happening, and had no idea what the future held.

As days passed, I found comfort in unexpected places. One of those places was The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). I attended the Light The Night (LTN) walk in Mesa, Arizona, and there was such an incredible sense of unity as survivors, fighters, and families gathered with lanterns. Each lantern represented a different part of our journey. With my white lantern in hand, I walked alongside others who, like me, were facing this tough time. For a moment, the dark didn't seem as scary.

Just a year ago, I was on top of the world, winning the Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu National Championship. But now, leukemia has made me too weak and sick to even think about stepping onto the mats. The thrill of competition and the joy of fighting seemed like distant memories. It was a different kind of challenge.

However, even in the tough times, there were small victories, the victory of not giving up, of finding strength in hard moments. The memories of winning the championship motivated me to keep fighting, hoping that one day I could get back on the mats and face this illness head-on.

The LTN walk reminded me that, even when things seem really dark, there's a strength in all of us that goes beyond our own struggles. The lanterns not only lit up the night sky but also the faces of survivors who had been through tough times and come out stronger. Walking with them, I felt inspired by their stories, each step showing that we can keep going even when life gets hard.

Leukemia changed my life, but it didn't put out the fire inside me. The journey was tough with pain and hope woven together. The LTN walk became a symbol of my ongoing fight, a way to show that courage comes when we face tough times together.

As we walked under the night sky, lanterns lighting our way, I realized that fighting leukemia wasn't something I had to do alone. It was a journey we all shared, each step showing courage for those who faced it before us and lighting the path for those who would face it after.