Search Results
Gina
In 1994, at the age of 29 I was diagnosed with stage IV acute myelogenous leukemia. I was told there was a five percent chance that I would survive. Having a husband and three kids, I was devastated!
I never thought this could happen to me, and it was a long hard fight, but I did it.
I survived and I feel proud to say I am a survivor!
Stem Cell Transplantation
For some patients who are in remission and can tolerate intensive chemotherapy, the doctor may recommend stem cell transplantation during the consolidation phase of chemotherapy.
Childhood and Young Adult Resources
On this Page:
Resources for Children, Young Adults and ParentsOne-on-One Support
Long-Term and Late Effects of Treatment
Some side effects of cancer treatment, such as fatigue, can linger for months or years after therapy. Some medical conditions like heart disease and other cancers may not appear until years after treatment ends.
Selina
My story starts when I was just eight months old. In March of 1994, it was discovered that I had a cheek tumor. Doctors removed the tumor, and I was treated with chemotherapy. I relapsed at two years old in 1995. I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Leukemic lesions had spread to my brain. I received intense chemotherapy and 14 days of cranial irradiation. I was very lucky that my little sister was born in June of 1995. Doctors had saved her umbilical cord (her stem cells). I underwent more chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant in October 1995.
Geoffrey
My wife was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in November 2014. She went through a three-year protocol of a steroid regimen followed by one year of oral chemotherapy. She was pronounced in remission after one segment of chemotherapy but went through the entire protocol. Living in Chicago at the time, she was treated at Northwestern under Dr. Diner, a specialist in her type of ALL. Then in 2020, we moved to North Carolina and were referred to Dr. Kataryna Jamieson at UNC Hospital for what we thought would be a yearly or biannual checkup. In July of 2020, Dr.
Alexandra
My dad was diagnosed with leukemia this past fall. Our family was left in utter shock as my dad was the epitome of health his whole life. From our yearly ski trips, hiking and biking excursions, and running four marathons (motivating me to run my first with him), there was nothing he couldn’t do. He still continues to be the strongest man I know five months into his battle. He continues to face every day with a smile on his face and his head held high.
Gail
I have large granular lymphocytic leukemia (LGL), 12 years in remission. I wanted to share this poem I wrote as a message of hope for those who may be suffering with leukemia.
My Blessing!
This is my season to get my blessing! This blessing took a long time in coming. There were
so many obstacles standing in my way, but I conquered them. So many mountains in front of me that I could not climb and it
made me feel like I could not go any further, but I was able to climb them and look at me now.
Marty
My story is very unique. Christine and I got married in July of 1979. In August she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). As we all now know, the prognosis at that time was not the best for an adult with ALL. There was a new procedure called a bone marrow transplant. Chris was not a candidate and seven months after we were married, she passed away at the age of 26.
Zulay
In July 2020, just four weeks away from Zulay’s 4th birthday, she became sick with a fever, bruises, and weakness. We made a trip to Cook Children’s in Fort Worth, Texas. After about two hours, the doctor came back with the news no parent ever wants to hear. She said, “I’m sorry, Zulay has acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Zulay was then admitted to the ICU.
Stephanie
Ever since I saw my dad run the New York City Marathon in 2019, I knew it was something that I wanted to strive toward. When the pandemic hit in 2020, I put that dream on pause to start a full-time job as a clinical research coordinator for bone marrow transplants.
Quade
Quade “Q” Marks is a 14-year-old freshman at East High School in Denver, Colorado. He loves to play lacrosse, ski, snowboard and aspires to be a trauma surgeon. He is also a blood cancer survivor.
Lauren
In the fall of 2022, my cousin lost her battle with leukemia. She was the most lovely (a word that makes me think of her) and kind person, and at the memorial service, Kate's sister said Kate had said, "There is nothing better than to be young and to run." This sentiment stuck with me for a long time as I am also a runner, and I started thinking about how I could honor her in my own way. The family had directed those who wished to donate to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), so I researched and discovered Team In Training (TNT).
Georgia
On August 18, 2021, after months of complaining about severe knee pain, I was diagnosed with mixed phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL). I was 16 at the time of my diagnosis and was supposed to be starting my junior year of high school that same day. (It was the first time everyone went back to school since COVID). The diagnosis was unexpected, and I started treatment right away at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Since COVID was still around, I was unable to see anybody other than my parents. It was a very scary, lonely time.
Lowering High White Blood Cell Counts
Some patients may have very high white blood cell (WBC) counts at the time of diagnosis. These elevated WBC counts can sometimes impair blood flow to the brain, lungs, eyes and other sites, and also cause damage in small blood vessels.
Emilee
In 2021, at the age of 19, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). I received three rounds of aggressive chemotherapy before having a bone marrow transplant at Stanford. From that point on, I have stayed in remission with no evidence of disease. I am now 21 years old, and a full-time student with three jobs!
Michael
I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) on October 4, 2009. I received a bone marrow transplant from a younger brother. My late wife was originally diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She died of metastatic breast and brain cancer on July 18, 2018. We were each other’s primary caregivers.
Krisha
I’m always open for an opportunity to dedicate my time and efforts in assisting those in need. I am on a mission to provide support and comfort to individuals who are battling leukemia and lymphoma. This is in honor of my relatives who have lost their lives to cancer. I am extremely happy to be able to be part of a cause that helps other survive and thrive.
Luis
I was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in 2008. I immediately started my chemo treatment in pill form which is Gleevec® 400 mg. I was in treatment for seven years until 2015, and I completely stopped all treatments. I have been cancer-free for the past nine years. I want to share my story and experiences with others.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a drug therapy that stimulates the immune system. Interferon, a type of immunotherapy, is a substance made naturally by the immune system, but it can also be made in the laboratory. Interferon reduces the growth and division of cancer cells.
Aiden
I am writing to share about my son, Aiden, who is our real superhero and has superpowers that shine bright through his love of dance. From a very young age, we considered Aiden to be our gifted child. He has a free spirit and loves to connect with the world and others in it. His parents have taught him to "dream big" and "reach for the stars" and he can do whatever he puts his mind to.
Michele
The news came that I had been dreading after three days of being hospitalized. Finally, they would tell me my diagnosis. Why my blood counts were critically low. Why the pain in my right leg was excruciating. Why morphine didn’t touch that pain. Since arriving at the hospital, my inner dialogue was on repeat, “What’s wrong with me? Somebody please just tell me everything is going to be fine."
Matthew "Scott"
On January 11th, 2019 at 9:35 p.m., exactly 11 days before my baby brother's 40th birthday cancer decided to come to the party uninvited. It would be the first time in my life that I would see my mother, the strongest person I know, collapse in utter disbelief. He had a cough he couldn't shake, his doctor sent him for some blood work at lunchtime, by dinnertime his platelets were 7,000 and his Dr. said he should go to the hospital for some tests, and by bedtime we were transporting him to The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.
Katie
Only a couple weeks into my first year of my graduate program, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with FLT3 mutation. I was only 21 years old and my entire world got flipped upside down. My whole life changed and I was about 1,000 miles from home.
Jayden
On May 15, 2018, we found out that our baby boy has B-cell leukemia. At first, it was rough but he has now been cleared of any cancer in his body! He still has to undergo chemotherapy for the next two years, but Jayden is a very strong seven year old and he will fight this horrible disease!