• LLS
  • Team In Training
  • Light The Night
  • Man & Woman of the Year
  • Students of the Year
  • Regatta
  • Hero Squad
  • Lifestyle
  • Big Climb
  • Community
  • Careers at LLS
  • Donate
  • Menu
  • About LLS

    Who We Are

    • Our History
    • Leadership
    • Financials

    Our Mission

    • Research
    • Policy & Advocacy
    • Patient Support

    Contact Us

    • My Chapter
    • Our Regions
    • News Network
    • Partner With LLS
    • Blogs
    • Work at LLS
  • Patients
    & caregivers

    Disease Information

    • Leukemia
    • Lymphoma
    • Myeloma
    • Myelodysplastic Syndromes
    • Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
    • Facts & Statistics
    • Children and Young Adults
    • Newly Diagnosed
    • Managing Your Cancer
    • Treatment
    • Clinical Trials

    Support Resources

    • Contact an Information Specialist
    • Financial Support
    • Online Chats
    • Support Groups
    • Peer-to-Peer Support
    • Caregiver Support
    • Nutrition Consultations
    • LLS Patient Community
    • Podcast
    • Other Helpful Organizations
    • Suggested Reading
    • LLS Health Manager™ App

    Education Resources

    • Information Booklets
    • Webcasts
    • Videos
    • 3D Model Library
    • Drug Listings
    • Blood Cancer Conferences
  • Researchers &
    Healthcare Professionals

    Academic Grants

    • Academic Grant Programs
    • Apply for an Academic Grant

    Therapy Acceleration Program

    • Portfolio
    • The Team
    • Latest News
    • How To Apply

    Resources for HCPs

    • Continuing Education Programs
    • Continuing Medical Education Programs
    • Free Publications
    • Podcast
    • Patient Referral Form
    • Trish Greene Back to School Program
  • How to help

    Ways to Give

    • Donate Online
    • Monthly Giving
    • Donor-Advised Funds
    • Employee Matching Gifts
    • Wills, Trusts, and Annuities
    • Stock Transfer
    • Tribute Gifts

    Fundraise

    • Fundraising Events
    • Create a Tribute Page
    • Create Your Own Fundraiser

    Volunteer

    • Volunteer
    • Become a Social Ambassador

    Advocate

    • Take Action
    • Sign Up to Be an Advocate

    Shop

    • LLS Store
    • Charitable Shopping
  • Donate
  • About LLS
    • Who We Are
      • Our History
      • Leadership
      • Financials
    • Our Mission
      • Research
      • Policy & Advocacy
      • Patient Support
    • Contact Us
      • My Chapter
      • Our Regions
      • News Network
      • Partner With LLS
      • Blogs
      • Work at LLS
  • Patients & caregivers
    • Disease Information
      • Leukemia
      • Lymphoma
      • Myeloma
      • Myelodysplastic Syndromes
      • Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
      • Facts & Statistics
      • Children and Young Adults
      • Newly Diagnosed
      • Managing Your Cancer
      • Treatment
      • Clinical Trials
    • Support Resources
      • Contact an Information Specialist
      • Financial Support
      • Online Chats
      • Support Groups
      • Peer-to-Peer Support
      • Caregiver Support
      • Nutrition Consultations
      • LLS Patient Community
      • Podcast
      • Other Helpful Organizations
      • Suggested Reading
      • LLS Health Manager™ App
    • Education Resources
      • Information Booklets
      • Webcasts
      • Videos
      • 3D Model Library
      • Drug Listings
      • Blood Cancer Conferences
  • Researchers & Healthcare Professionals
    • Academic Grants
      • Academic Grant Programs
      • Apply for an Academic Grant
    • Therapy Acceleration Program
      • Portfolio
      • The Team
      • Latest News
      • How To Apply
    • Resources for HCPs
      • Continuing Education Programs
      • Continuing Medical Education Programs
      • Free Publications
      • Podcast
      • Patient Referral Form
      • Trish Greene Back to School Program
  • How to help
    • Ways to Give
      • Donate Online
      • Monthly Giving
      • Donor-Advised Funds
      • Employee Matching Gifts
      • Wills, Trusts, and Annuities
      • Stock Transfer
      • Tribute Gifts
    • Fundraise
      • Fundraising Events
      • Create a Tribute Page
      • Create Your Own Fundraiser
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer
      • Become a Social Ambassador
    • Advocate
      • Take Action
      • Sign Up to Be an Advocate
    • Shop
      • LLS Store
      • Charitable Shopping
  • Partners
    • LLS
    • Team In Training
    • Light The Night
    • Man & Woman of the Year
    • Students of the Year
    • Regatta
    • Hero Squad
    • Lifestyle
    • Big Climb
    Community Careers at LLS Language
    • English
    • Spanish
    • Canadian English
    • French Canadian

I am a Patient looking for Disease/Treatment Information related to

En Español
  • Who We Are All Survivor Stories Dean

Dean

Lymphoma Survivor

Gresham, OR

  • Print

I was losing the battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and lymphoma in August of 2013 when I ran across this quote from Albert Einstein, "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." I decided to adopt this as my standard to live by. It gave me new insight and a passion for living that fueled my will to live.

I decided to try to do something impossible while still an active cancer patient to prove to other cancer patients that you don't have to give up your dreams or your drive simply because you've received a diagnosis. My impossible dream? To become the first person in history to swim the entire 184 miles of the Willamette River in Oregon.

In June 2014, I swam three to five marathons a day for 22 days in 40-50 degree water and accomplished my miracle swim. Six days later, doctors were stunned when they found blood tests showed that my blood counts had returned to normal.

I did this swim as part of the Man & Woman of the Year (MWOY) campaign for LLS. It helped me to see firsthand that we are "swimming in miracles." Now, healthy and strong, I live to give others suffering from leukemia and lymphoma the inspiration and power to hope for their own miracle of healing. This summer, I will make another miracle swim to raise money for LLS. I am swimming the River Shannon in Ireland!

Previous StoryLyra
Next StoryRichard
Previous StoryLyra
Next StoryRichard

Follow us

Sign up for latest news

Subscribe

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all monetary donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by tax laws. Please check with your financial advisor if you have more questions.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Security
  • Copyright
  • Link Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Public Disclosure
  • Fundraising Disclosure
  • Refund Policy
  • Work for LLS
  • Contact Us