Kenya

I was diagnosed with two blood cancers — multiple myeloma (MM) and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML).

James

In 2001, my wife and I had not been able to get pregnant after five years of marriage. We decided to look into adoption. As part of the application process, we were required to go for routine bloodwork. Soon after, I got a call at my desk at work that I needed to see an oncologist. I was informed I had chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), a rare form of leukemia.

Rob

I have this thing inside me called chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). It’s a rare form of leukemia that affects the blood and bone marrow. Only 1,100 cases are diagnosed a year in the U.S. Four out of a million. I do not want to be that special.

Sara

In May 2019, I was surprised and delighted to find out that I was pregnant. Throughout the summer, I eagerly delved into extensive reading and research on pregnancy and the first-time mom experience. However, this period also brought about a challenging early pregnancy.

Meghan

My name is Meghan, and I am 33, almost 34 years old. In September 2016, I was diagnosed with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) secondary to my brain cancer treatment. I noticed a lot of bruising on my legs along with occasional nose and gum bleeding.

Lucille

I was diagnosed with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) in October 2019, at the age of 57. After experiencing months of symptoms such as severe fatigue, bruising easily, and shortness of breath. My PCP decided to do some extensive lab work, she told me her suspicion.

Pauline

I was diagnosed with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) in February 2023. I was shocked, never having heard of this disease, and having always considered myself a healthy person.

At my annual physical in January 2023, I told my PCP that I seemed to be getting colds more often and they tended to linger.

Laura

It’s hard to even know where to begin. I was 63 years old, a happily working professional in health policy and advocacy. I know the power of an organization like The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS); a daughter, wife, mom, grandma, and dog mom.

I was traveling with my husband, and I had a side pain. I thought might be a gallstone.

Gerardo (Jerry)

I came into this world with a 65,000-mile warranty. During all my life, maybe I had a cold once in a while, some minor stuff, a bit of bursitis, but nothing that you would consider life-threatening at all. One day during a routine exam, I had blood work done. My PCP told me she didn't like my white blood cell count, and it was best to have a specialist look at it.