Inspirational Stories

Meet Sal. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Survivor. Florida. Sal was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) before his daughter Olivia celebrated her first birthday. After multiple courses of treatment proved unsuccessful, he underwent a bone marrow transplant in September 2011. Now, almost three years later, Olivia is almost 5 and her Daddy is celebrating his "three-year post-transplant birthday"! Sal is healthy and strong - and has the energy to play and laugh with her. Most beautiful of all, he can now dream of being at her side for all kinds of birthdays to come. His family walked in the 2011 Light The Night Walk in Tampa, only a few weeks after Sal was released from Moffitt Cancer Center after his transplant. They also walked in the Light The Night Walk in 2012 and 2013 in Orlando, and walked again in 2014. Olivia calls it "daddy's party." His wife, Cathy, says they are so thankful for life and for the many donors who give small amounts that add up to life-changing treatments and cures, the incredible researchers who are creative and persistent in seeking novel treatments, and a young woman from Germany who gave generously to save the life of someone she didn't even know. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is focused on ensuring access to treatments for all blood cancer patients like Sal - not someday, but today.