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How to start accepting help
It’s been another long day. A long list to check off. You’re doing it all yourself, making sure everything is in order, that everyone has what they need.
And you’re exhausted. But asking for help—or even accepting it when it’s offered—might seem intimidating. You don’t want to overwhelm others or bring them down.
Cancer might happen in the body, but its impact goes beyond that. Whether you’ve been diagnosed or someone you love has, if you feel stressed out or like you’re on your own, you’re not the only one.
Born with Leukemia, Eevie is now age 3 – and Cancer Free!
After Eevie was born, she was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood blood cancer that affects 1 in 5 million newborns. She was given a 17 percent chance of surviving to age 2. This month, Eevie celebrated her third birthday. Her mother, Brynne, tells her story…
How Celebrating My 18th Birthday in the Hospital Changed My Perspective
Marlee’s story of courage, inspiration and giving back.
My name is Marlee Pincus and I have cancer. I never in a million years thought I would say those words. Growing up, I never had any medical issues nor a significant family history of cancer. In high school I loved to run, advocate for human rights, and learn Spanish. However, my greatest focus was always on my academics. I graduated Salutatorian of my class and was eager to begin my freshman year at Cornell University.
5 Ways to Support Blood Cancer Patients
Have you ever Googled, “what to do for someone with cancer”?
Have you felt helpless or frustrated when trying to think of something meaningful to offer them or do for them? You want them to know you’re ready to help, but don’t know how to help.
We’re often told to just ask the person what they need. But the truth is, they probably don’t know what they need. And figuring it out can be tough on top of all the new questions that come with their diagnosis.
So now what?
5 Reasons why I’m grateful for LLS Volunteers
It’s National Volunteer Week, and I want to thank all our LLS volunteers for the time, energy, and commitment you give to our organization in service of blood cancer patients and their families. Through your many acts of kindness, compassion, and generosity, you are helping patients live longer, better lives. All of us at LLS are so grateful for you—all year long.
Treatment
In general, the goal of treatment is to destroy as many lymphoma cells as possible and to induce a complete remission. Complete remission means that all evidence of disease is eliminated. Patients who go into remission are sometimes cured of their disease. Treatment can also keep non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in check for many years, even though imaging or other studies show remaining sites of disease. This situation may be referred to as a “partial remission.”
Rhonda
This is my second time participating in the Light The Night as a cancer survivor. I have had blood cancer twice.
In 2012 I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. After being in remission for almost 7 years on December 17, 2018 I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. I had a bone marrow transplant in March and I am in remission.
I must say I’m grateful that team NCA (National Christian Academy’s school cheerleaders) would do Light The Night in my honor.
Holly
In 2016, I joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Tennessee Chapter as a supportive member of Team Addie. I had friends who became team members the previous year, walking in Nashville’s Light The Night Walk (LTN), and they encouraged me to get involved in the cause with LLS and LTN. Nashville is a city that my friends and I have gained so much love for through the years. I must admit I was hesitant to join at first because blood cancer specifically hadn’t affected my life or the people in it.
Wendell
Wendell Ison was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) on June 6, 2006. It was through his own battle that he decided to create the team known as "Wendell's Warriors" as a way to give back and make a difference in people's lives by raising money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS).
Monica
As a First Connection® volunteer with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for almost two years, I have had the opportunity to connect with patients and survivors to share their stories and experiences while battling this deadly illness. Every day I come across so many touching and courageous stories that inspire me to do more and more to support this cause.
Louise
During the last week of July 2019, Louise, then-two-and-a-half-year-old, developed unusual red dots on her chest and some gnarly, yet explainable, bruises all over her body. We chalked the rash up to wearing an unwashed shirt and the bruises to being an extremely active two-year-old. Then, after her gums bled one afternoon, we hopped on Google and became increasingly concerned with the search results. However, Louise wasn’t acting “sick,” so her parents ignored Dr. Google’s diagnosis.
Matthew
In September, 2012, Dr. Matthew Levine noticed that his regular exercise routine and rotations in the ER were more physically draining than usual. When Dr. Levine realized he could no longer run a mile like he used to with ease, he contacted his physician.
In the interim, Dr. Levine began developing bruises on his body and a throat infection. He knew that after the testing, the diagnosis would not be good. On Monday, September 17, 2012. Dr. Levine learned he had acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
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.
Ronnie
After several months of flu-like symptoms, 11-year-old All Star little leaguer Ronnie took a blood test that would determine his white blood cell count was nearly 1 million. Ronnie was immediately sent to Ann and Robert H. Lurie’s Children’s Hospital of Chicago where he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
Claudia
Light The Night (LTN) has allowed us to honor the memory of my niece Breyana.
Every Year Counts: Celebrating My Healing from Hodgkin Lymphoma
Many blood cancer survivors remember the day they were diagnosed, and they never forget it. For Racheli Alkobey Peltier—Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)— when that date comes around, it’s a chance to mark her progress.
Each year, Racheli marks important milestones in her experience with blood cancer—taking time to reflect, feel gratitude, and look ahead. These dates are her “cancerversaries.”
4 Perspectives on How Nonprofits Help
If you want to change the world, there’s more than one way to do it. You could start in your community, helping friends and neighbors. You could also turn to a nonprofit organization—as a volunteer, donor, advocate, or even by joining the staff—to widen your impact.
We know a lot of changemakers at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Passionate, amazing people who work hard to help us make life better for blood cancer patients, survivors, and their families. They know that we can make the most progress toward a world without blood cancer together.
Katie
I was diagnosed with Leukemia when I was 20 months old. I endured treatment for a little over 2 years until I was declared cancer free. Since I was diagnosed so young, I do not remember the treatment. However, I do remember the support from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) as my family participated in the LLS’s Light The Night walk every year for the past 18 years!
Rommy Omarys
My younger sister was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2022. She is the youngest of four siblings. I am the oldest, and for me, she has always been my baby sister. We all go through different difficulties ― family, personal, economic life, etc. ― but when a disease affects your body to the degree of being between life and death, the perspective is different. With the greatest sadness in the world and the possibility of not seeing my sister again in this physical plane, I never lost hope. The light in the dark was always strong and bright.
Liam
In April 2015, Liam was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) when he was just one-and-a-half years old. After living in the hospital for four months of intensive treatment, Liam went into remission in July 2015!
He got back to an active life and was enjoying being a normal kid. He had the honor of being LLS’s 2016 Honored Hero. He and his mother attended many LLS events to share his story. Liam was set to kick off the Light The Night walk but unfortunately, Liam relapsed right before the event and had to endure more chemo.
Sal
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.