Search Results

Katie

Twenty years ago I did two things that shaped my life.

Jennifer Brown, M.D., Ph.D., who played a role in advancing ibrutinib for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), is the recipient of an LLS Translational Research Program grant, and has previously received a career development program grant.

Her work is currently focused on studying the role that the Notch pathway plays in the development of CLL and whether therapies that target Notch can be effective for these patients.

Robert

I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) when I was 18 years old the summer before I was supposed to start college. Instead, I spent six months receiving treatment on a clinical trial at CHOP. I was fortunate to have access to outstanding, cutting-edge cancer care and have a good outcome. This experience inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. I’m now a physician-scientist finishing my oncology fellowship at Dana-Farber Cancer Institution. I’m passionate about advancing the field of oncology through research and advocacy.

Lisa

It's not easy being bald, a bald physician, and a bald wife. This is my third dance with Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL). I first met HL in college, as many young girls meet their first pivotal relationship. Sadly for me, I attended an all woman's college, so my pivotal 'boyfriend' came in the form of a first cancer diagnosis.

Dr. Wu

Catherine Wu, M.D., is focused on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). One aspect of her research is to gain greater understanding of the genetic underpinnings of CLL. She and her colleagues are studying the role that a mutated gene – SF3BL - plays in the development of CLL in order to develop improved strategies to treat CLL. Another focus on her lab is to develop an immunotherapy approach to treating CLL. She is working on employing a CLL-specific antigen to develop a personalized vaccine for patients with CLL. Dr.

An image with the word "news" on tablets and a laptop

FAQs: Proposed federal spending cuts and blood cancer research and care

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has heard great concerns from patients, caregivers, volunteers, healthcare professionals, researchers, community organizations and others who are fearful and confused by NIH spending cuts and other policies being proposed and implemented in Washington.

Anna

I was a recipient of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Scholarship for Blood Cancer Survivors this year. I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) on December 23, 2014. I received over 80 doses of chemotherapy, 40 blood product transfusions, and had six infections. One of these infections landed me in the pediatric intensive care unit for seven days with acute respiratory failure and sepsis. I spent 133 days in-patient at the hospital. In May 2015, I left the hospital for good and am celebrating seven years in remission.

Vickie

I was diagnosed in 1974 at the age of 24 with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). I had never even heard of it. The doctors did not know if I would survive as it was very aggressive. I had exploratory surgery (CAT scans and MRIs did not exist then as far as I know) and five weeks of radiation (I still glow in the dark, saves on night lights!!). Other than a couple of "unusual lymph nodes" over the years, I have been cancer-free. I went on to have two more great careers and was happily married for the first time at 49.

teen researcher stands in front of his project at science competition

Student trailblazers, part 1: Enterprising teen engineers new way to deliver cancer treatment

One of my favorite things about being Chief Medical Officer of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is getting to meet so many bright young people committed to changing the world for blood cancer patients and their families.

Cary

Cary was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in the fall of 2012. After spending more than 100 days in the hospital, undergoing intense chemo treatments, and blood transfusions Cary is now in remission. You can only imagine the struggle and heartache a cancer diagnoses was at only 33 years of age with a wife, 3 small boys, and a career.

Jennifer

My mother, Jennifer, was diagnosed with breast cancer completely unexpectedly in 2015 and beat it a year later. Soon after, she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We were in complete shock. She is single and lives on our Indian Reservation in Eastern Oregon with no cancer hospitals, so my sister and I completely dropped our careers and lives in other states to take care of her as we were scared and knew she needed support.

Myra

Over the course of Myra’s career in oncology nursing, she’s seen the hurdles that families face and heard from patients about the daily struggles to access the care they need to stay alive. Unfortunately, she is too familiar with patients who are forced to choose between life-saving treatment and going against a doctor’s recommended treatment plan simply because the cost is too high.

Heather

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk serves as an inspiring, empowering and comforting event, made possible by those who share, remember, and advocate for the fight against cancer. Each year, we here at LLS are graced with countless stories that demonstrate and display the spirit of this event. Heather Lee’s story is one of them.

middle aged white woman wearing a colorful headscarf and white t-shirt with an orange ribbon on it sitting on a hospital bed

Amy

I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) when I was 43 years old and at the height of my career as an RN. I took care of critically ill patients but did not realize when I was critically ill myself. My diagnosis came after days of having hip pain which became progressively worse until I was unable to walk without assistance. My husband and son took me to the emergency room for testing. The doctor sat on my bed to discuss the results, and at that point, I knew things must be bad, but I did not expect her to say I may have cancer.

Steven

I’m Steven, a 23-year-old who is no stranger to hard work and resilience. I juggle two jobs and live independently, but six months ago, my life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In a heartbeat, I was thrown into a world of uncertainty, doctors’ appointments, and intensive treatments. I had to face radiation therapy, surgeries, and the challenge of missing work ― all while trying to keep life moving forward.

Imani

I was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) on my 11th birthday after having nosebleeds that lasted hours for months. Throughout my treatments, which included radiation and chemotherapy for a bone marrow transplant, it was my nurses who were there educating me and my family and helping me stay hopeful and entertained throughout the weeks. Even though it was really difficult, they helped us through it. I wanted to share my experience with other kids, so I wrote and published a book that I was able to dedicate and donate to my hospital a few years later.

Sofia

As a five-year survivor of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), I have come to truly appreciate the value of life's opportunities and the importance of being fully present in every moment. My battle against cancer has shaped me into a determined and compassionate individual, instilling in me a deep sense of empathy for others facing similar challenges. I am grateful to have been awarded a scholarship for cancer survivors by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), recognizing both my journey and my aspirations.

Brice

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.

My doctor ordered blood tests and an ultrasound which was followed up with a biopsy. I was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) on October 24, 2016. ALCL is a rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Bishoy

Leukemia Survivor Travels From Egypt to Receive Treatment

At just three years old, Bishoy’s parents uprooted him and his family from Egypt to America after he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He underwent treatment for most of his childhood until finally receiving a clean bill of health at thirteen years old.

Tiffany surrounded by her family and friends at a Light The Night event

Blood Cancer Survivors Find Special Meaning and Connection as Employee Champions of LLS Light the Night Events

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is proud of our continuing partnership with Gilead and Kite Oncology as the National Presenting Sponsor of Celebration and Community at Light The Night events across the U.S. helping bring people together and raise critical funds to support patients and their families.

George

I was born in the inner city of Philadelphia, PA in 1951, I currently live near Dallas, Texas. My professional career in the Information Technology Industry lasted over 40 years prior to my retirement in January 2019. In 2002 I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and many aspects of my life changed forever.

Brescia

I am a Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with cancer during my college years and took a semester off to begin chemotherapy and treatment. This was an incredibly scary and challenging time in my life. As any cancer survivor contemplates upon diagnosis, one of my initial thoughts was, “How long do I have?” Not knowing the answer to that question was one of my biggest fears as I felt like I hadn’t accomplished everything I wanted to in my lifetime. After several rounds of chemotherapy, losing most of my hair, and feeling more exhausted than I’ve ever felt in my lifetime .

Samantha

I was diagnosed with cancer in January 2023. We initially thought it was a misshapen aortic arch until I got an echocardiogram. After I was formally diagnosed, I told my friends. I underwent surgery, and my friends and family came to visit me once I was awake. I was set to be in a runway show before I was diagnosed, and I decided to still walk in it. I dyed my hair purple before the show so I could raise awareness on the runway. This is when my modeling career began, and I began to gain a following on TikTok.

David

My beloved husband, David served the community of Arlington, Texas, through the fire department for 38 years. Throughout his career, he served the city and trained and mentored other up-and-coming firefighters. He retired in 2017, and just nine months later, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a very aggressive blood cancer. His oncologists believe it had simmered in David's marrow for a couple of years before it went acute. It came on with similar symptoms to the common flu.

Rebecca

Less than one month before finishing her clinical fellowship year as a speech-language pathologist, Becca was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Her life, as well as that of her family, friends, and dog (Clifford), were turned upside down.