Walgreens, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Susan G. Komen collaborate to research tough-to-treat cancers and increase access to care
In an effort to improve the health and well-being of people living with cancer nationwide, Walgreens announced its pledge to contribute more than $25 million to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and Susan G. Komen, collectively, over the next five years. Through a combination of corporate donations and in-store fundraising, the commitment will enable new research in metastatic breast and pediatric blood cancers, as well as increase access, treatment and support services for those living with these diseases.
Donations and funds raised for LLS will accelerate the delivery of cancer treatment advances to pediatric patients and help patients, caregivers and survivors with the financial, emotional and psychological effects of cancer and its treatment. Patients like 13-year-old Josh Ribeiro of Jacksonville Beach, FL, know firsthand the urgent need to raise funds for lifesaving treatment.
In October 2018, Josh was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). He immediately underwent intense treatment, which came with countless trips to the hospital and multiple side effects, including short term memory loss. He even had to miss his entire sixth grade year in school. But Josh never gives up hope.
“Josh has had a lot of ups and downs throughout his treatment,” said his mom, Nerissa. “But he still wakes up every day knowing that he can beat cancer.”
Josh is still in treatment, which he’ll continue for another three years.
Blood cancers and breast cancer are complex to treat and remain prevalent in the United States. Currently, nearly 1.4 million are living with or in remission from blood cancer in the U.S. and more than 3.8 million people living in the U.S. today have been treated for or are living with breast cancer.
Walgreens customers can help support cancer research and the cancer community by donating to LLS during checkout at the more than 9,500 U.S. Walgreens retail pharmacy locations November 3 through 17.
In late 2014, Eric Wirtz, a firefighter for the Boston Fire Department, lost his 64-year-old mother to pancreatic cancer. During that time he had been experiencing pain in his lower right back and hip area and frequent bouts of flu-like symptoms. Eric says that overall he “just did not feel too good.” Little did he know he was about to face his own battle with cancer. Tests of Eric’s lower abdominal area revealed a large tumor that were inflamed lymph nodes in his hip area. He was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the most common sub-type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in January 2015 and began treatment shortly thereafter.
Eric received treatment at Mass General Yawkey Cancer Center and describes his oncology team as “remarkable.” Within a month of his diagnosis, he began six months of a therapy known as R-CHOP, a standard treatment for NHL that spreads throughout the body and kills cancer cells, combined with an experimental drug. While this treatment worked for most of Eric’s cancer, there were still signs of cancer in his right hip and lower abdomen. Subsequently, he began a three-month chemotherapy regimen called R-ICE. After two sessions, Eric learned he was cancer-free. Despite the good news, he continued with the last treatment for “safe measure” and immediately started a 20-day cycle of radiation.
Upon completion of his radiation, Eric underwent a stem cell transplant using his own cells and spent nearly three weeks recovering in the hospital. A few months after he returned home, he was given the opportunity to take an experimental drug designed to keep his disease from returning.
Multiple studies have shown that firefighters are at an increased risk for different types of cancer due to the smoke and hazardous chemicals they are exposed to in the line of duty. Eric is committed to helping The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) spread awareness about firefighters’ increased risk for cancer and steps they can take to reduce that risk. LLS is supporting research to investigate the connection between exposure to toxic smoke, such as what occurred on 9/11 and cancer.
When reflecting upon his journey Eric says, “mentally it was tough, especially during the transplant. I pulled through because of my strong family and the support system they were. They were sad about my diagnosis but positive of a cure.”
Six months after his stem cell transplant, Eric says he needed to “get back to reality” and returned to work at the fire department. Eric has been cancer-free for four years but continues to experience some minor, residual effects from his treatment, but notes “it’s nothing to complain of. I am grateful for health, family and good friends. Life is a blessing.”
To learn more about LLS’s resources and information about firefighters and cancer risks, click here.
"A Style for Every Smile” Campaign is Brightening the Faces of Pediatric Cancer Patients like 4-Year-Old Sasha Nationwide
"A Style for Every Smile” Campaign is Brightening the Faces of Pediatric Cancer Patients like 4-Year-Old Sasha Nationwide
At the tender age of four, Sasha has endured more than most of us will in a lifetime. In October 2017, at just two years old, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a diagnosis no parent wants to hear.
"It sounds so stereotypical, but I just didn't believe it. I was completely in denial,” says Sasha’s mom, Randi.
Immediately, Sasha began intense treatment at Randall Children's Hospital in Oregon, which came with long hospital stays, countless pricks and punctures and unbearable side effects.
“Sasha has been so brave as she goes through it all, smiling throughout the entire process when it’s unbelievably difficult to even imagine,” says Randi.
Sasha is now in the maintenance phase of her treatment and is counting down the days until her end date in December 2019, which means the hardest of days aren’t quite over yet. Even after everything she’s been through, she hasn’t let cancer stop her from shining her light on others. She continues to make those around her laugh with her funny jokes and jolly personality.
Knowing that thousands of children are diagnosed with blood cancers each year, Burlington Stores and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) have joined forces to bring smiles to survivors across the country. Since the campaign kicked off on September 17, Burlington Stores and LLS’s “A Style for Every Smile” campaign has been bringing smiles to deserving kids across the country by surprising them with a Burlington gift card at an in-store shopping spree experience.
On October 17, Sasha took her big surprise at the Burlington store in Beaverton, Oregon, and her already big smile got even wider when she walked through the Burlington doors and was told she could “pick out whatever she wanted.”
Sasha grinned from ear to ear and headed straight to the toy section, where she spotted a princess karaoke set. “A Karaoke Set!” Sasha shrieked. “This is so great, my other one exploded, and I’ve been really needing one to sing all my new songs!”
Sasha poses with her new friends and Burlington staff who helped her find her way around the store.
“It was really fun to watch her running around, picking these things out, it’s all pretty neat,” says Randi.
LLS is doubling our investment in fighting pediatric cancers, and is proud to partner with our friends at Burlington who bring smiles to so many children and families. Together, we are closer than ever to cures.
From now until December 2, 2019, Burlington Stores nationwide are encouraging customers to donate $1 or more at checkout to support LLS’s goal to create a world without blood cancer.
Sasha wears her “Honored Hero” cape and pretends to fly with her mom and dad, Randi and Wes.
Immediately, Sasha began intense treatment at Randall Children's Hospital in Oregon, which came with long hospital stays, countless pricks and punctures and unbearable side effects.
