Ian Torello 

Survivor, Son, Brother, Friend

My son Ian has been an outstanding patient who has made our experience with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) and chemotherapy seem routine. While he occasionally has his rough days, for the most part you would not know he is sick. There are times I give him up to 10 pills at night and he swallows them like candy. There are times when my other two children ask why they don?t get to have medicine too. He dealt with the steroids blowing him up and the hair loss very well. He is a very courageous young boy that I am more and more proud of every day.

Mark Torello, Ian's Dad

 

Aliza Harinstein

Aliza Harinstein is a one year old girl who was diagnosed with a very rare form of infant leukemia in August 2008.  She is currently undergoing two years of chemotherapy.  During, the first few months of her treatment she is living at the hospital, under the careful eye of many infant leukemia doctors and nurses.
Aliza?s name means "joyful" and to the amazement of her friends, family and physicians, Aliza has continued to live up to her name.  She greets all of her visitors with smiles and hand waves. She is very active, throwing toys out of her crib or dancing around to music, even after intense medications.  Her family knows that she is a fighter and she will beat her leukemia.

 

Kate Davis

Kate Davis lives in New York with her mom, dad and three sisters.  She loves reading, drawing and ballet.  On January 31, 2007, at age four, Kate was diagnosed with leukemia, a blood cancer.  She quickly began a long course of treatment at several hospitals. The treatments made her feel sick and she lost all of her hair.  For Kate, the worst part of her treatment was not joining her twin sister, Olivia, at summer camp, school or on play dates with their friends.
After taking lots of medicine Kate started feeling better.  She didn?t feel as sick anymore and her hair started to grow back.  She has been able to return to school and have play dates with her friends. Kate?s family is very thankful for all the wonderful doctors and nurses that treated her.

 

Kayla Cason

Kayla Cason lives in New York with her mom and big sister, Maya. She loves art, playing connect-the-dots and reading.  On January 21, 2005, two-year old Kayla Cason was diagnosed with leukemia, a blood cancer.  The first six months of her two-year long treatment were very difficult for Kayla and her family.  Some of her treatments made her feel upset, gain weight and lose her hair.  
By the time Kayla finished her treatment, she had already spent half her life fighting leukemia, and her family is happy for every day that she won. Today, Kayla is healthy and enjoying time with her friends, school and playtime with her big sister, Maya. Kayla?s family is very proud of Kayla, who showed so much strength and courage throughout her treatment. 

 

Michele Louis

Survivor, Daughter, Friend 

My mother was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma when she was 52 and I was 19. My daughter, Michele, was just turning 20 and I was 52 when Michele was diagnosed with A cute Lymphocytic Leukemia/ /Burkett's Lymphoma.

Despite being given only a 5% chance of surviving five years and limited treatment options, my mother lived thirteen full years. Perhaps with modern day treatments my mother and Michele would have known each other. Michele?s grandmother passed away when she was six months old.

Michele was diagnosed at the end of the year 2000. She spent her 20th birthday getting chemo. After going into a quick remission and enjoying two and a half months disease free, the leukemia came back. A bone marrow transplant was the only option. Thankfully, her brother was a perfect match.

August 29th marks the Seventh anniversary of a very successful transplant. Michele is expected to live a long and fruitful life.

Susan Louis, Michele's Mom 

Deborah Ludwig

Survivor, Sister, Aunt

I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) on December 18, 2003. I went through four rounds of high-dose chemotherapy, total body irradiation, and on June 1, 2004, bone marrow transplantation. My bone marrow donor was my sister, who was pregnant with her second child. 28 weeks into her pregnancy, she had a bone marrow extraction ? a needle inserted into her pelvic bone about 70 times in two hours. She saved my life that day; she is my hero. And today, that baby is a gorgeous, smart, healthy four year old boy.

The LLS is an amazing organization and an important resource not just for blood cancer patients but also caregivers and medical professionals. It is volunteers like you who help make it possible for patients like me to survive and thrive because you are helping in the fight to cure blood cancers.  Thank for participating in Light The Night. You have no idea how special your work is to me and how appreciative I am. You help save lives ? what a precious gift.

 

Andrea Halkias

Survivor, Daughter, Sister

You have been feeling unwell, fatigued and having unexplained weight loss.  You have sought out medical treatment to help you feel better.  Your are certainly not at your best ? when the doctor walks in and tells you that you have Blood Cancer. This is a life-altering moment. 

This is what has happened to me in 1995.  I was told that I had two weeks to live.  I was finally diagnosed with a T-cell Lymphoma called Polymorphic Reticulosis. The doctor then said I can treat you with radiation resulting in an almost certain guarantee of blindness ? or not.  The choice is yours.  Andrea Halkias that was sighted for 37 years was going to be no longer.  I didn?t really know that then, however, in that one moment ? that split second of choosing sides - to be or not to be ? I chose life.  And a newer, stronger, life-glorifying Andrea was born.

I began to see life in a new way. I developed deeper, more meaningful relationships with the people in my life.  I cherish life.  I have learned the piano since I went blind; I have painted and traveled to France again ? as a blind woman.  I am now cancer free. I offer this to you: Choose life.  Make today your pivotal moment.  Live, Laugh and Love!
God Bless you all.

           

Martin Noble

Survivor, Son, Brother                                                                              

I had surgery in May 2002 to remove an infected lymph node. I did not feel sick at all prior to the surgery, so I was shocked to find out the biopsy results uncovered traces of cancerous cells. It was devastating because I was 26 at the time and thought my life was over. I had every test imaginable to determine the type and degree of cancer I had. I wanted  to know all this before I dropped the news on my friends and family. Once my doctor told me I had a chance to beat the cancer, I had all the motivation I needed. I told my friends and family about my condition and let them know that their support, not their pity is what I needed most. The chemotherapy sessions and the radiation treatments were among the most painful experiences I?ve ever had. Losing all the hair on my head and frying my voice box didn?t help either. Both conditions were temporary though, as was the pain.

Finishing treatment and getting through it all gave me a new lease on life and a totally new perspective on what I wanted to do.  I embraced life like never before and I haven?t looked back. Coming down with, or rather being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, was probably one of the best things that ever happened to me.

 

David Spohn Gellert

Survivor, Husband, Father

On Valentine?s Day 2005 I learned I had Mantle Cell Lymphoma?now I feel great, but I realize I did prior to my diagnosis too.

I live with the fear that the beast will return. This has created a need to remain informed. I value the educational calls that LLS hosts. I actively read postings on the LLS bulletin board. I do what I can so if I ever need to be treated again I am informed and can hopefully be prepared to the face the decisions that have to be made. I have created my own personal support group? I am back to doing everything and trying to live life to the fullest, but the shadow will always be there. I am a blood cancer survivor and I intend to stay a survivor for a long time to come.

 

Joni Pagan

Survivor, Wife, Sister

I would like to tell you about an unsung hero: my BFF, Donna Torres. My husband is legally blind, has prostrate cancer, and arthritis of the spine. I was his caregiver before I got diagnosed with Myeloma. I was in the hospital and a nursing home for 4 months. During that time, my BFF took care of my husband and my home. She paid the bills , did my taxes, applied for SS disability, and visited me in the hospital. Without her, and my husband, I would not be alive. I'm sure my story is not unique. All survivors have someone who loves them helping them. To me, these are the true heroes!!!

Let's recognize the unsung heroes: the caregivers.