September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is increasing awareness about the urgency to find cures for blood cancers – the third most common cancer killer in the U.S. Throughout the month, our blog series will focus on the three main types of blood cancers: leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
When Elijah was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2005, shortly after retiring from the Oakland Raiders, we were stunned. Neither of us had ever heard of it.
I searched online from his hospital room and what I read made no sense. How could my 35-year-old husband, who still looked like he could run out on to a football field in his pads and helmet, have a terminal blood cancer?
Life with multiple myeloma became an instant roller coaster. As his caregiver I knew it was my job to learn as much as possible about what we were facing, while trying to keep things normal for our two young sons.
He fought a good fight and stayed positive throughout his treatment. He epitomized living with cancer.
We lost him suddenly in 2010 and it was devastating. I held it together because I knew our boys needed me.
Even though I had to figure out how to navigate life without Elijah, one thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to stay connected with the multiple myeloma community to raise awareness, to help find a cure.
The advancements that have been made since I first learned of multiple myeloma have been incredible. I share our story as one of hope for those living with it now. New treatments options are promising and my fingers are crossed that they will lead to a cure, but I know continued research is critical.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was a great resource for us during my husband’s treatment, and because of their mission, getting involved with the organization just felt right.
Now that our sons are adults, the oldest is in college and the youngest plays baseball in the New York Yankees minor league system, I can focus even more of my efforts on educating others about multiple myeloma.
This is my way of keeping Elijah’s memory alive. It’s the least I could do.
Kimberly Alexander is the owner of KimCONNECTS, based in Dallas, Texas. She spends her time traveling the country speaking on issues related to multiple myeloma and co-hosts a radio show. She can be reached at: kim@kimconnects.com.
DID YOU KNOW?
1) Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells, a type of white blood cell.
2) Black Americans are twice as likely as white Americans to be diagnosed.
3) 110,345 people are living with or in remission from myeloma in the U.S.
4) 30,280 new cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2017.
5) Most people diagnosed are older than 50 years old.
September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is increasing awareness about the urgency to find cures for blood cancers – the third most common cancer killer in the U.S. Throughout the month, our blog series will focus on the three main types of blood cancers: leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
We spoke with Meredith Barnhart, LCSW, Director, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Information Resource Center who has extensive experience as a clinical social worker, working with individuals and families impacted by cancer.
“Approximately every 9 minutes, someone in the U.S. dies from a blood cancer,” says Meredith. “This statistic represents approximately 160 people each day or more than six people every hour. In 2017, more than 60,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with leukemia.
Meredith provided us with the five essential facts you should know about leukemia:
1) Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and marrow, which is the spongy center inside of the bones where blood cells are made.
3) Leukemia is the most common cancer in children and teens younger than 20, accounting for almost one out of three cancers.
4) Acute leukemias are the rapidly progressing diseases, and chronic leukemias usually progress more slowly.
5) Leukemia can happen at any age, but is most common in people over 60.
Featured Survivor: Duly Wilson/Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Survivor
I was 18 and had just moved away to go to nursing school, when I was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). In 1997, the only treatment option for CML was a stem cell transplant.
I was able to return to school within two years and in 2003 I graduated with my bachelors of science, in nursing. In January 2004, I became an oncology and bone marrow transplant nurse in the same unit I had been treated in years before.
Even though oncology nursing would never have been my specialty choice prior to my diagnosis, it was the only area of nursing I had a passion for after my cancer experience. I believe that LLS will find the cure for blood cancers and I am honored to be a part of that. Read Dulcy’s full story here.
DID YOU KNOW?
September 22 is Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Day. 9/22 represents the genetic change of chromosomes 9 and 22 that causes the disease.
Join LLS for our 9/27 CML telephone/web education Michael J. Mauro, MD of Weill Cornell Medical College. Register here!
Each September, during Blood Cancer Awareness Month, Burlington and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) team up to create awareness for the urgent need to fund research to advance cancer cures for the nearly 1.3 million people in the U.S. are living with, or are in remission from a blood cancer.
In its 16-year partnership with LLS, Burlington has donated more than $29 million to the organization, making it the #1 National Corporate Partner and Honored Friend of LLS. With Burlington's amazing fundraising efforts and support, LLS has helped played a role in most of the therapies used to treat blood cancer patients.
Beginning on September 17, 2017, Burlington will ask its customers to donate $1 or more at checkout. The program will continue through December 9, 2017, in all 599 Burlington stories nationwide, during LLS’s Light The Night fundraising campaign, featuring 150 walks across the country each fall. All donations support LLS’s work to fund cancer research to advance lifesaving treatments.
Joining Burlington and LLS to support the cause for the first time is singer and songwriter Jordin Sparks, an avid activist for cancer research. On September 19, she will join Burlington and LLS at the retailer’s flagship location in New York City’s Union Square, for an inspiring event to recognize four young blood cancer survivors and surprise them with a full fashion makeover and brand new fall wardrobe. These young heroes are also featured within the in-store campaign at all Burlington locations nationwide. Here are their heroic stories:
Athena/ leukemia survivor
In May 2012, my daughter, Athena’s hospital crib rolled down the halls of the hospital’s pediatric oncology floor. This would be her home for the next two months. She was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and needed to receive intense treatment. Needles, chemotherapy, surgeries, and medication became our family’s new normal for more than two years.
Thankfully, there was light at the end of the tunnel. Athena is now six-years-old and living life to the fullest. She loves music and having tea parties with her big brothers. We are so grateful for the medicine and technology that helped save our little girl.
Jackson/ leukemia survivor
In many ways, my son, Jackson is a typical eight-year-old boy who loves Elmo and ice cream. But in other ways, he is anything but typical. He was born with Down syndrome and he's also a cancer survivor.
In 2010, when Jackson was just a toddler, he was diagnosed with leukemia. The diagnosis seemed insurmountable. He spent more than 150 long nights in the hospital, but his spirit and will to live is relentless. He has been off treatment and cancer free since September 2015.
Myrrah/ leukemia survivor
When Myrrah was six-years-old, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Her family lived in India at the time, where she received a year of intense treatment. When Myrrah’s blood work showed no signs of cancer, her family celebrated with a vacation to Europe.
Then, during a routine checkup they learned that Myrrah’s cancer had returned and the doctors said there was nothing more they could do. Desperate for hope, Myrrah and her father travelled to New York and met with LLS-funded researcher, Dr. Andrew Kung.
In 2016, after a year of treatment and a bone marrow transplant from her older brother, Myrrah’s lab work showed no sign of cancer. Today, she loves cooking and is thriving in school.
Giovanni/ lymphoma survivor
In July 2016, my son, Giovanni was diagnosed with lymphoma. For nearly a year, he went through countless surgeries, blood transfusions and various chemo cycles, but he always kept a smile on his face.
While in treatment, Giovanni’s bravery caught the attention of many, including athletes and even his hometown police department, where he was bestowed the honor of “Police Chief” for the day. He has an amazing spirit and it beams through every smile he gives. Giovani underwent surgery and in February 2017, we were told that he was in remission. We had a huge party for him.
Each survivor was styled and photographed by Burlington.
When Elijah was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2005, shortly after retiring from the Oakland Raiders, we were stunned. Neither of us had ever heard of it. 
In May 2012, my daughter, Athena’s hospital crib rolled down the halls of the hospital’s pediatric oncology floor. This would be her home for the next two months. She was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and needed to receive intense treatment. Needles, chemotherapy, surgeries, and medication became our family’s new normal for more than two years.
When Myrrah was six-years-old, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Her family lived in India at the time, where she received a year of intense treatment. When Myrrah’s blood work showed no signs of cancer, her family celebrated with a vacation to Europe.
In July 2016, my son, Giovanni was diagnosed with lymphoma. For nearly a year, he went through countless surgeries, blood transfusions and various chemo cycles, but he always kept a smile on his face.