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Beyond the diagnosis: How employers can champion employees facing cancer
“When someone faces cancer, they shouldn't have to go it alone.” – Orlando Ashworth, CPO, LLS
Cancer doesn’t just impact an individual. It sends ripples through families, friendships, and workplaces.
What’s Next in Blood Cancer: Looking Ahead to 2023
The most important blood cancer scientific meeting, the American Society of Hematology (ASH), is held every December.
One More 'Ologist'
After staring down Stage IV non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2016, I AM HERE, and I am grateful beyond measure. However, I am learning that the treatments that saved my life came at a high cost, and that in its own way survivorship is the hardest part of what I and my family now call, “the adventure.” 'The adventure' is certainly never what we imagined it would be.
3 Insights from a Clinical Trial Patient
The road to finding new and better cancer treatments often includes an important step: clinical trials. For patients with hard-to-treat diseases, these studies can be superhighways to the right treatment. A clinical trial can tell oncologists whether a new treatment works, how certain cancer types affect the body, and more.
“Stages” of Leukemia: Understanding Classification and Progression
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Myrrah
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivor travels from India to receive LLS-funded treatment
When Myrrah was just six years old, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Her family lived in India at the time, where she received a year of intense treatment. When her 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.
LLS makes progress for blood cancer patients through virtual advocacy
Meetings with lawmakers, testimonies at state legislatures, and events with passionate volunteers are all staples of advocacy. Historically, those are some of the ways we accomplish that work. But COVID-19 prompted us to rethink the way our staff and volunteers share their message with lawmakers.
Robert
My story starts in March 1983. I was lucky to have been chosen to attend Squadron Officer School in residence at Maxwell, AFB, Alabama. I was, I thought, a healthy 28-year-old and newly married with a promotion to captain the following month. Then, a worrying symptom suddenly occurred. Everything was going dark briefly under physical exertion. I shrugged it off as heat exhaustion until just climbing one flight of stairs resulted in a blackout without unconsciousness. It was then I decided to drive home for the weekend to advise my wife and decide my course of action.
Amber
On November 22, 2013, I was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). There was no sign that anything was wrong until I went in for routine blood work. My platelet count, which should have been in the 150,000 to 400,000 mcL range, was over a million. After a bone marrow biopsy, my oncologist discovered that I had Philadelphia chromosome–positive CML.
My diagnosis opened my eyes to just how much has been accomplished in the fight against cancer.
100 Blood Cancer Advocates Visit Washington, Urge Lawmakers to Act
For the first time in four years, blood cancer advocates convened in Washington, D.C. this spring. Together, they shared a single, critical purpose: to fight for better healthcare for cancer patients.
Nearly 100 volunteers – including patients, survivors, and caregivers – urged members of Congress to champion two key pieces of legislation that will transform lives. Through their unique experiences, and their powerful voices, they’re already making an impact.
Grace
On February 6, 2023, I was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). However, my story starts months before that. I was attending my sophomore year of college at my university when I started experiencing symptoms I did not understand or put together. I started experiencing extreme exhaustion, I was dropping weight very fast, and I was always lightheaded. I decided to come home only three weeks into my spring semester because I couldn’t keep up my course load with how bad I was feeling.
Jackson
Jackson was diagnosed on December 31, 2016 age eight with Philadelphia positive acute leukemia. Doctor's said he wouldn't live long and transferred him to Children's Health Care of Atlanta where he spent the next year hooked to machines, receiving platelets and a horrific chemotherapy regiment.
He was given the green light to come home with high restrictions and no contact instructions. He lost many friends as he lost his hair. It hasn't been easy by any means for him, his sister or myself.
Gal
My name is Gal, and I am 21. In 2011, I moved to California from Israel. Within a few months, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). I was only eight. I was dismissed by doctors for four weeks because I was too young even though I showed clear signs of blood cancer. My bones hurt a lot. I started to get a lot of big bruises, and I had an insanely high fever. I was in treatment for two years and seven months. I survived in 2013 as I entered my teen years. When I was sick, I would go to a camp called Camp Simcha. It is a camp for cancer patients in upstate New York.
Lily
Hello, my name is Lily and I am 14 years old. In November of 2022, I was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). At the beginning, I was completely shocked because there was no sign that anything was wrong with my health. It was the hardest news I’ve ever heard in my life. The only thing that I was worried about was if I was going to die or if I was going to lose my hair I am now 2 cycles into my chemotherapy.
Freddie
Thursday night I found myself amidst a sea of people. Alongside me were survivors, family members, and friends. The atmosphere was one of unity, with banners and signs reminding us why we walked. At the end of the walk, I looked around at the faces of fellow survivors, and I realized that we had all contributed to something bigger. The event had exceeded its fundraising goals, and the funds raised would go towards cutting-edge cancer research. The sense of accomplishment was immeasurable.
Jelien
Jelien started showing signs in early July of 2018. She had bruises and cuts that were taking too long to heal. In November, she kept spiking fevers with no other symptoms, and the doctor suggested giving her Motrin and switching to Tylenol. In December, during her well visit, Jelien’s bloodwork came back with slightly low counts, but her hemoglobin was too low. She was admitted to the hospital for a day for observation, and her counts were recovering. She had a follow-up and was cleared.
Lily
Hello, my name is Lily and I am 14 years old. In November of 2022, I was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). At the beginning, I was completely shocked because there was no sign that anything was wrong with my health. It was the hardest news I’ve ever heard in my life. The only thing that I was worried about was if I was going to die or if I was going to lose my hair I am now 2 cycles into my chemotherapy. I have lost my hair and I love my bald look! I finished my last chemo session on April 6th 2023.
Claire
In February 2019, our daughter, Claire, was diagnosed with a rare form of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) just three short months after we celebrated her second birthday. We noticed a few discolored bumps on her body and assumed it was just a reaction to a new soap I had purchased, but then they began to pop up on other parts of her body.