In September 2013, our six-year-old daughter, Jordyn was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma— a diagnosis no parent ever wants to hear. Within a day of diagnosis, she already started chemotherapy. Numerous lumbar punctures and blood transfusions soon followed. Our life had changed in an instant.
In March 2014, I woke up at my normal time to get ready for work. I could barely move - I was so ill and every part of my body hurt. I didn't’t think anything of being sick since I had started to feel ill on Sunday and it was just getting worse. I figured that I would stay home sick and be back to work the next day.
Quade “Q” Marks is a 14-year-old freshman at East High School in Denver, Colorado. He loves to play lacrosse, ski, snowboard and aspires to be a trauma surgeon. He is also a blood cancer survivor.
I was diagnosed at two years old with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and went into remission when I was five. I spent two years at Wilford Hall where I was born.
I'm currently a 15-year-old sophomore in high school and feeling better than ever!
In 2015, I started having issues with being able to fight a sinus infection. Several months later, my doctor ordered me to have a bone marrow test and I was diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Seven years ago I was 18 years old and a freshman in college. I could not have been more proud of myself. I had a 3.7 GPA, I joined the cheerleading team (first time I ever cheered before), became a member of a sorority and was involved in a local organization related to my major.
I discovered a small painful lump under my armpit area so I went to the doctor and I was given antibiotics for an infected lymph node. A few months later, I noticed the lump had grown larger so I scheduled another doctor appointment.
I am a 12 year survivor of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and was heavily involved with LLS when I was a patient going through treatment. I was a part of the Honored Hero program during elementary and middle school and would go speak and tell my story to schools in the Cincinnati Tri-State area with my mother.
In 2015 at the age of 21, I went to my local ER three times for lower back pain and was sent home every time. After a wonderful Disney trip, I went to my local ER with severe back and stomach pain. After several tests, the doctors told me it looked like I had large tumors in both lungs.
My mother never had an easy life, but she is courageous and strong. She has never let any pitfall keep her from moving forward in life. She is a hardworking, independent single mother who has loved me, supported me, and always managed to be there for me. She is a force to be reckoned with, and a beautiful person.