Search Results

Tina

My son Evan was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) when he was two years and seven months old. He went into remission a month later. He finished his chemotherapy and treatment, but shortly after he relapsed. He went through radiation and chemotherapy again and was given a bone marrow transplant. He never made it out of the hospital and passed away when he was four and a half. The reason I fundraise for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is so other parents won’t have to go through what we went through.

Bethaney

My name is Bethaney Jones and I am a Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor. I was diagnosed in April 2018 after a routine check up for a cough that lasted for months.

After my diagnosis, I was unable to complete the school year with my awesome third graders. I endured six months of chemotherapy and I was able to ring the bell on October 12, one day after my 28th birthday.

Olivia

Olivia was diagnosed with Stage 4 Burkitts lymphoma shortly after her 4th Birthday and after her baby sister was born.

It began when she was too weak to walk and misdiagnosed by a couple doctors. It wasn't until she ended up in the emergency room and ICU where they found the cancer.

She started emergency chemo right away and endured nearly eight months in the hospital . She was a fighter all the way.

Hirshel

My nickname is "The Running Rabbi" for competing in the New York Marathon. I visited the 52 hostages in Iran and received the Award of Courage from President Ronald Reagan. I have survived cancer five times, and in thanks for my life, I have dedicated myself to being a prayerful friend to my fellow cancer patients and their loved ones everywhere. I welcome cancer patients to contact me for prayer and support. I am also the co-author of a book that chronicles my battle with hairy cell leukemia (HCL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and my spiritual triumph over despair.

Follow-Up Care

Click here for information about follow-up care, including what to expect, long-term and late effects of treatment, survivorship clinics, and other resources such as The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) treatment guidelines.

Nicolasa

The first time I heard of Team In Training (TNT) and raising money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) was when my friend and I wanted to run the Nike Women's Half in D.C. We filled out the application and got accepted and started raising money, not having a clue about where this path was going to lead us. It was at that time that I began to realize the impact leukemia and lymphoma have had on my family and friends, whether they or a loved one had gone through treatment. I wrote all of their names on my singlet and carried them with me along that course.

Treatment Outcomes

AML is a difficult disease to cure. Just a few decades ago, almost no adults with AML could be cured. But today, advances in understanding of the genetic features of the disease and the use of targeted therapies have resulted in improved remission and cure rates for AML patients.

For statistics, click here.

Pilar

My name is Pilar, and I am 34 years old. I used to work for the workforce board of Philadelphia, working with youth, until I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) back in October 2020. It has been a hard battle, but I am positive and blessed to have the support of my family and friends. Additionally, I was very fortunate my sister, Marcela, was a match to be my donor.

Stephanie

I was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in 2000 and had seven months of chemotherapy (ABVD) and 20 rounds of radiation. I have not had a reoccurrence of HL, but in 2014, I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). I see my oncologist every four months to check my white blood count, and so far, I am still in a watch-and-wait situation. I work full-time in a high-level, stressful job, have two children, and thankfully, have the energy to do it all and have not had to resort to any treatment yet.

Anna

As many of you know, in 2015 our daughter Anna was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). She had a very successful treatment, and God answered my wife and my prayers. As of March 2023, Anna has been cancer-free for five years making her a cancer survivor. On October 21, Aimie, Anna, and I will participate in the Light The Night (LTN) walk for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Funds raised through LTN allow LLS to fund treatments for patients who have blood cancer. As you can imagine, this cause is very special to Aimie and me.

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).

Julia

My daughter Julia is 13 years old and was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma on October 19, 2020. She had intense itching episodes on her arms and legs along with swollen lymph nodes that her dermatologist misdiagnosed her for along time with different things. We wanted answers.

After many tests we had answers, she has stage 2 cancer. And her itch is a Hodgkin itch, a rare symptom. Julia just completed her second cycle of chemotherapy and her itch has subsided. We are just beginning her journey.

Joey

Joey Renick is a three-time acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivor. He was first diagnosed at the age of 3, then 18, and again at 22. Joey has received years of chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant. Since receiving his bone marrow transplant in June 2016, Joey has married his wife Caylee, completed nursing school, began and continues to work as a bone marrow transplant nurse, and will be a dad soon.

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.

Elizabeth

I was diagnosed with lymphoma in October 2017 after three months of dithering doctors even though I live in New York City and had good health insurance. After three months of dithering and a diagnosis, I was told the next appointment at the treatment department was in two months. I had the good fortune to have heard about Dr. Morton Colemen because he had treated a friend's mother 15 years before. He became my doctor that day, and I revere him.

older woman with short blond hair in a sweater next to younger woman with long brown hair and a black shirt

Sydney

My grandfather, Michael, passed away from leukemia in 1991. While I never had the pleasure of meeting him, I have always considered him to be my guardian angel. My grandmother and best friend, Patrice, has been a loyal advocate, supporter, and donor to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) ever since his passing. Additionally, she served as vice president for two years and president of LLS for four years. We love how committed LLS is to the research and care of those with blood cancer.

Geoff

I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) on April 13, 1995, at Arlington Hospital (now VHC Health) and was hospitalized there for 32 days for chemotherapy. I received a second round of chemotherapy (high-dose) at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital a few weeks later. Afterward, I received an autologous stem cell transplant at Sloan Kettering. I was discharged on August 13, 1995, and readmitted in late August for two days for an infection. I have been cancer-free since then.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms are changes in the body that may indicate disease. A sign is a change that the doctor sees during an examination or on a laboratory test result. A symptom is a change that a patient can see and/or feel. A person who has signs or symptoms that suggest the possibility of leukemia is usually referred to a specialist. This is a hematologist-oncologist. A hematologist-oncologist is a doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Related Diseases

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) shares some similar features and symptoms with other closely related types of leukemia.

Lashelle

In 2019, knots started to appear on my neck and jawline. My face was also massively swollen. I was unrecognizable. I had difficulty breathing, and major parts of my body were swollen as well. After several tests and two surgeries, I was unexpectedly diagnosed with non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphoma (NHL). I was told that if the cancer had stages, I was considered stage 4.

Lia

Hi Everyone! My name is Lia Sartorio and I am 21 years old. I am Stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma SURVIVOR! My world was turned upside down on May 6th, 2019, when I was diagnosed with lymphoma. I had been experiencing severe back pain for a few months, and after many unsuccessful chiropractic visits, I was prescribed an MRI. Expecting to see nothing but a pinched nerve, the MRI uncovered that I had abnormal bone marrow in my lower back and pelvis. Within two weeks of my MRI, I underwent a CT Scan, a PET scan, a bone marrow biopsy, and a surgical Lymph Node Biopsy.

young white woman in a hospital bed wearing a pink shirt, turban and holding a green sign that says new stem cells today

Amy

I am a stage IV non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor (NHL). The diagnosis came as a complete shock since I was a relatively healthy, active young adult working and enjoying life with family and friends. With a family history of breast cancer, I was advised to start having screening mammograms in my 20s. After a few clear screenings, I approached my 2018 screening and annual health visit to my primary care doctor's office with optimism. Within 48 hours, I received the dreaded call many women fear ― abnormal results.

Complications of CLL or CLL Treatment

Infection

People with CLL are more likely to get infections.

James

I am a cancer survivor and my story starts in the summer of 1999. On June 9, an MRI revealed a tumor the size of a golf ball in my brain. A biopsy showed it to be a primary central nervous system non-Hodgkin lymphoma. I remember this date vividly because it was my wife’s birthday and she had to break the news to me. This marked the beginning of our journey.

Jacqueline

It’s been five years since my daughter was diagnosed with stage ¾ Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). She had just graduated college, and she had a lump on her right clavicle area. We went to the doctor, and then it all started, from CT scans to biopsy to telling us that it would be six months of chemo, and that’s it.