Testimonials

As with any recurrence of cancer, I was terrified when I learned of its return in May of 2020 – especially when the treatment plan included a stem cell transplant scheduled for August of that year. The mental anguish of preparing for a dangerous, yet possible life-saving procedure, which included leaving my 2 young girls for almost a month’s stay in the hospital, was daunting to say the least and exacerbated by the threat of the global pandemic. While I received excellent care and made it through the treatment with the love and support from my family, friends, and community, the continued stress of medical bills has proven a lingering reminder of that difficult time. However, the assistance from The Children’s Leukemia Research Association, Inc., has been a bright light for our family in the midst of our challenges.

I want you to know that the generous aid you provided was immediately applied to the medical debt that I owe, and seeing it paid down,even a little, has been such a relief and a beacon of hope. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. My family will be forever grateful for the generosity of your organization, and we can only hope to pay it forward in our lives in the future, since we knowhow meaningful it feels to be supported and feel the relief from the financial burden of medical bills.

Please offer our sincere gratitude to the donors who made our situation better, and let us know if we may share our story with anyone about your wonderful organization.

Living with the disease is a tricky one regarding others who don’t have it. No one understands the pain because no one sees an open wound to associate with. Things happen all over your body that have never happened before, especially after a bone marrow/stem cell transplant. Not everyone is the same though. I was diagnosed while healthy. Some are diagnosed while having underlying health issues which makethe treatments and outcomes differ greatly.

“It” has affected my life in an almost positive way socially and emotionally. I’ve been blessed tremendously by a flood of support from some people I’ve never met and made lifelong friendships along the way. My husband and daughter have shown a Crazystrength that I’ve never seen before. Support from the Children’s Leukemia Research Association and my family is key to the everyday life I want to lead.“This disease” changes a family’s lifestyle and affects anyone within contact. So many want to help but don’t know what to do for you. When others ask you how you’re feeling, after a while you find yourself smiling and saying that everything is ok when it’s not true. It’s becomes taxing trying to figure out how to live with the pain and go about daily life without showing it. In short, the new norm sucks and I’m reminded of it every day when I take the prescribed “maintenance” drug. Although, attitude is EVERYTHING, and the sooner you accept what you have, the sooner you can muster up the strength to fight it.

Neuropathy is a game changer brought on for some as a byproduct of chemo. It doesn’t show up in your blood work and no one can see it, so it doesn’t get discussed.It is however, talked about in the quiet circle of those of us who have it that nothing will be done about it until a neurologist experiences it, or must watch a family member go through it. Sometimes, for myself, it’s debilitating. It comes and goes without warning or effort of motion on my part. It’s ugly, it’s silent to others and yet screaming out loud inside with pain twenty four hours a day. When I’m alone sometimes I cry, another part of the new norm.

I will continue to enjoy taking care of my family and community, being involved in Girl Scouts, co-coaching for Girls on The Run, homeroom mom stuff, graphic design work, and slowly working my way to run my fifth marathon. Getting support from the Children’s Leukemia Research Association allows me to have those goals and to live the best life I can with less stress. I thank God every day for them.

I would never choose what I have, but I also wouldn’t change anything either. There has beenbeauty from ashes. I’m not going anywhere; God gave me a voice and I’m going to use it to help as many as possible.