Search Results
Don
In January of 2016, my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). He was unresponsive to treatment. He went into remission, but it quickly came back. The clinic said they couldn’t do anything more, so he was referred to the University of Minnesota for a clinical trial. The treatment included me, as his daughter, donating my T-cells. The clinical trial was helpful but didn’t get the results he needed, and cancer came back.
Dallas
Leukemia, as many of you know, is a cancer. It damages your body to the point where you are so comfortable with death and dying that it becomes an afterthought because in your mind you’ve already died. You see so many of your friends pass away at such a young age that it is devastating to the point where you become extremely emotionally advanced or numb. The resemblance that trauma has with a double-edged sword is that you either skyrocket or hit rock bottom.
Jerome
Most importantly, the doctors, nurses, and researchers are true angles; wouldn’t be here without them. Dedicating their lives to saving others’, I am forever thankful. Not to mention the secretaries, volunteers, and administrators who are the lubrication to the operation, thank God.
It has been a while, but here’s the summary: Diagnosed with ALL in Oct. of 1986, remission shortly after in Dec. of 1986, then 2.5 years of chemotherapy and a few weeks of radiation therapy. It all changed my life... for the better.
Natalie
I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (with a FLT3 mutation), at age 46, on April 24, 2018. I had no idea I was as sick as I was until I was in the ER in Tampa, Florida and told my body was 94% full of leukemia. I needed to start chemo immediately.
Kayleen
On March 8, 2012, our world changed forever.
I was at work when I got the call from my husband that I was to meet him and Kayleen at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. He said they found markers for leukemia in her blood work after testing for mononucleosis. Our oncologist was optimistic saying it was still “highly curable.”
Ashley
Three little words changed my life forever!
Krista
Where do I begin? I am a 2x acute myeloid leukemia (AML) survivor with being diagnosed for the first time in 2008 at the age of 38. My family and I received amazing support through The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) both emotionally and financially with the co-pay program, webinars, and information guides.
Greg
In 2017, our world turned upside down when my father, Greg, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The only chance to save his life was a bone marrow transplant. Both of my uncles were tested, but neither was a match. Praying for a match, my father was placed on the donor match list.
Chris
When I started this journey six years ago, I never would have imagined I would take part in TEN Team In Training events, but losing a great friend can motivate you to do incredible things.
Donna
I would first and foremost like to introduce you to a most special lady. My Nana.
Lauren
At the age of 33, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). I immediately started undergoing treatment which initially consisted of intense induction chemotherapy followed by consolidation chemotherapy and then a haploidentical stem cell transplant. My 64-year-old father was my only donor option as I did not have any matches on the national registry. My two sisters were less than half matches, and my mother’s history of having had a stem cell transplant herself precluded her from donating.
Jessica
Hi my name is Jessica and I am 21 years old. Two weeks before my 12th birthday I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) which would completely alter the entire of my life moving forward. Due to the complexity and aggressiveness of my treatment, I was always receiving my treatment inpatient. My chemo regimen caused me to become severely tired and weak each round taking weeks for me to bounce back for the next round.
Eric
I was diagnosed with children’s B-type acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with a T 411 transmutation. As an adult, it’s rare for me to have children’s leukemia, but it’s the transmutation that makes mine unique. The doctors here have only seen this type three times in 34 years, and I was their third. I had unique symptoms as well. I had numb chin syndrome (NCS) where my bottom chin was so numb that I couldn’t speak or barely eat. I was given a bone marrow transplant on December 31, 2020.
Geoffrey
It all started with a limp. Then we began to notice random bruises on his arms and legs. Ten days before his 5th birthday, he had a fever that just wouldn’t go away. We went to see our family doctor, and after doing bloodwork, they said we needed to get to Children’s Hospital immediately. He was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), and this began the start of a journey that we never imagined we would be on.
Lewis
Lew developed leukemia from being in a building at Ground Zero on 9/11. He returned there every day afterward for over a year, breathing in the carcinogenic ash which compromised his immune system. He is currently in the World Trade Center Health Program.
In 2012, he was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and was told he’d have a year to live. But as he likes to say, he is like a Timex watch that takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’.
As a result of two bone marrow transplants in 2014, he developed graft versus host disease (GVHD).
Tessa
Tessa surprised our family when she came rockin' an extra chromosome. She spent 11 days in the NICU and left with oxygen but seemed in good health otherwise. When Tessa turned 18 months old, she became very sick. She had multiple infections that wouldn't go away, became lethargic, and wasn't her cheerful self anymore. After a blood test, her pediatrician suspected leukemia. More tests confirmed Tessa had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). She went through chemotherapy for two and a half years and finished treatment in May 2020.
Lauren
My husband, Frank, was a 40-year-old, hard-working family man and the sole provider for me and our two children when his world was turned upside down by a routine blood test showing he had acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This was a nightmare for all. He had to be admitted to Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital for five weeks where he received chemotherapy and ended up in the ICU with sepsis, heart failure, and organ damage. We were not sure if he was ever going to get out of there, but he became strong enough for his bone marrow transplant and had that in October.
Sherri
I have donated to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for many years. This year I wanted to do more in honor and loving memory of my dad, Frederick.
Lilian
My name is Lillian and I'm 43 years old I have a Alp leukemia. I went into the hospital on July23rd and didn't come out of it until August 2nd then I realize I was being transported and all I could remember was a yellow heart hanging and I was just out of it the whole time.
I'm still trying to grasp on the back that I have leukemia and then I'm going through all this chemo I'm trying to find help for my bone marrow transplant because I have no coverage. I've been very fortunate and lucky because many other states and countries they wouldn't have this when I was a teenager.
Danielle
In February 2015, my daughter Danielle was diagnosed with leukemia. She was 25 years old, and a professional dancer out on tour in Detroit when I got the call no mom ever wants to hear. She said, "Mom are you sitting down? The doctor says I have leukemia". Just typing this makes my heart sink.
She has been such a trooper three long years of treatments but i am here to say she is doing well. She met an angel while going through treatment and is getting married in May 2018! It has been the hardest three years of both of our lives but we now can look ahead.
Nandini
Everything was picture perfect in my life. A beautiful family with two beautiful daughters and husband. And then, in March 2009, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
I had been recovering from aplastic anemia since 2002. However, AA progressed into AML. A transplant was the best cure available and a kind unrelated donor was found who gave a new lease to my life. After a painful bone marrow transplant recovery, I am now in remission. My older daughter just went to college and my younger daughter is in fourth grade.
Keith
When the doctor calls you and says, "I need to speak to you as soon as possible," you know the news can't be good. I was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia, bastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN). Most doctors have never even heard of it.
Alexis
My grandma has been close to me for as long as I can remember. Holidays, birthdays, and summers — I always remember being with her and my grandpa. We took trips on cruises, visited Hawaii, and I had amazing chances to get closer to them. When my grandma was diagnosed with leukemia, my family and I knew we wanted to do something bigger. We joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training (TNT) to run the Walt Disney Marathon Weekend Dopey Challenge, and it was an amazing experience.
Arturo Pierre
I’m 61 years old. I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) the first time at 51, unaware of any symptoms. I was told that my diagnosis at my age was unusual. After chemotherapy and remission, the disease returned during COVID while I was being treated orally. The second experience was much worse. I’m in clinical remission for the second time in 10 years. Besides CLL, I wrestle with numerous orthopedic issues. I live an active lifestyle and maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and work full time.