Taylor Jackson: Portland 2008 Honored Hero

Since she was a tiny girl, Taylor has had the ability to make others laugh. It wasn’t until our world crumbled around us that we realized what a true gift her humor was. On a day that started without a care in the world, our always-happy three-year old daughter was diagnosed with cancer. 

As she endured 2 ½ years of chemotherapy and countless nights in the hospital to fight off Leukemia, it was Taylor that kept our family’s spirits up. When our sweet daughter lost her golden locks of hair from chemotherapy, she flashed her contagious smile, put her hands on her head and said, “Look at me, I’m a basketball!” Throughout her fight for life, Taylor taught us all that laughter is good medicine. 

Taylor has now been off treatment for 2 years, just graduated from the 1^st grade, and can still make us roll with laughter. We owe her life to research funded by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We participate in the Light the Night Walk every year in honor of Taylor and in memory of a special friend that she lost through treatment. We have great confidence that the money raised by LLS will make a difference. Please join Taylor and our family as we "Light the Night" this October. 

Taylor’s Family,    Lee, Shelley, and Kendra Jackson

Lynne Phillips: 2008 Eugene/Springfield Honored Hero

Courage, persistence, and faith are the hallmarks of Lynne’s story.

She has a deep faith in Christ and when diagnosed in January of 2006 with Multiple Myeloma, a rare incurable blood cancer, turned to her bible and prayer for solace and leading. She is blessed with family and friends who constantly keep her in their prayers and have provided ongoing encouragement and support. Lynne has participated in archery events and leads an active life working full time and living on country property with her husband, parents, and pets. She has traveled to visit her daughter and son-in-law for many special events since her diagnosis, the most notable being the birth of her twin grandsons in November of 2006.  

The LLS “First Connection” program provided another Multiple Myeloma patient to call Lynne and share her experiences. The Leukemia Lymphoma Society provides this service for all blood cancer patients who request it. Lynne says it was like drowning and being thrown a life preserver. Since then she has become a First Connection Volunteer herself. The LLS also helped Lynne start a Multiple Myeloma support group in Eugene that also serves surrounding areas.  Although Lynne is blessed with a very good remission so far, she knows it is an ongoing struggle for her and many others who have blood cancer. The International Myeloma Foundation’s slogan is Imagine Moving Forward. Let’s move forward with fond memories of those lost and enthusiasm for a bright future.  

God Bless, Lynne Phillips