• LLS
  • TEAM IN TRAINING
  • Light The Night
  • Visionaries of the Year
  • Student Visionaries of the Year
  • DIY
  • Big Climb
  • Community
  • Donate
  • Menu
  • About Light The Night

    About Light The Night

    • Mission
    • FAQs
    • Get More Information

    Our Partners

    • Honorary Supporters

    Recognition Programs

    • Hero and Impact Award
    • Participant Recognition

    Find a Region

    • Chapter Link
  • Ways to Get Involved

    Light The Night Walk

    • Create or Join a Team
    • Walk as an Individual
    • Corporate Teams
    • Friends & Family Teams
    • School Teams
    • Become a Team Captain
    • Social Toolkit
    • Participant Resources
    • FAQs

    Get Your Company Involved

    • Sponsor
    • Retail Campaigns
    • National Teams
    • Executive Challenge

    Random Acts of Light

    Volunteer

  • Find An Event
  • Donate
  • Account
  • About Light The Night
    • About Light The Night
      • Mission
      • FAQs
      • Get More Information
    • Our Partners
      • Honorary Supporters
    • Recognition Programs
      • Hero and Impact Award
      • Participant Recognition
    • Find a Region
      • Chapter Link
  • Ways to Get Involved
    • Light The Night Walk
      • Create or Join a Team
      • Walk as an Individual
      • Corporate Teams
      • Friends & Family Teams
      • School Teams
      • Become a Team Captain
      • Social Toolkit
      • Participant Resources
      • FAQs
    • Get Your Company Involved
      • Sponsor
      • Retail Campaigns
      • National Teams
      • Executive Challenge
    • Random Acts of Light
    • Volunteer
  • Find An Event
  • Partners
    • LLS
    • TEAM IN TRAINING
    • Light The Night
    • Visionaries of the Year
    • Student Visionaries of the Year
    • DIY
    • Big Climb
    Community

Search Events

  • All Survivor Stories Leif's Story

Leif's Story

Honored Hero

Eagle, Idaho

  • Print

Leif was busy with his first year at middle school when he started to get sick more often than usual. We didn’t think much of it because it was Fall, and sicknesses were starting to go around. When he started to be unusually tired and have stomach problems, his dad, who is a radiologist, took him in to the clinic to do a quick ultra sound. We thought maybe he had mono and an enlarged spleen. I remember it taking a long time before he came back, and when he reached me, the tears started. Before the day was over Leif would be diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and admitted to the hospital to immediately begin chemotherapy. That week he celebrated his 12th birthday in a room in the hospital.

Overnight our lives changed. Grandparents moved in and began caring for the three other children – our youngest child was only 2 – while it seemed we lived at the hospital. The first year was very hard. There were countless IVs, blood transfusions, bone pain, nausea and many other difficult experiences. The hardest things for Leif were days of being unable to leave his bed, not being able to play sports and be a regular kid, and all the side effects of the medications. A blood clot which led to more than 80 shots in the stomach and a fractured spine as his bones became weaker were two of the more challenging side effects of treatment.

Leif has battled cancer for two years and if all goes well only has 16 months left of treatment. Fortunately for him, he has a network of amazing family members, friends, and healthcare providers who have been our lifeline on this journey. Even strangers have reached out with love. Leif’s faith in God and desire to learn from cancer and help others has given him courage at some of the hardest times. One time when his port (where they access his blood) wasn’t working, I felt very discouraged. It was late at night and we were alone in a room in the hospital. He said, “Mom, there’s a reason for this. Maybe there’s someone we need to help in the hospital.” That has been his attitude throughout this process. No one wants cancer, but we are stronger, more compassionate, and braver people because of it. We love this community and all of the kind and generous people we have come to know because of this journey. Our silver lining is beautiful.

Previous Story Janet
Next Story Marta
Previous Story Janet
Next Story Marta

Contact InformationContact Light The Night by email or call 877-LTN-WALK

Follow Us

National Presenting Sponsor of Survivorship & Hope


Pharmacyclics-Janssen

National Presenting Sponsor of Celebration & Community


Pharmacyclics-Janssen
 

Leading Lights


Walgreens
The Wawa Foundation

Luminary


Abbvie
Amgen Oncology
AstraZeneca
BeiGene
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Burn Boot Camp
Elbit Systems of America
FIS - Empowering the Financial World
Genentech - Biogen - A Member of the Roche Group
Pfizer
Takeda Oncology

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against blood 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.

  • Copyright
  • Privacy Policy
  • Security
  • Link Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Public Disclosure
  • Fundraising Disclosure
  • Refund Policy
  • Email Subscription Center
  • Work for LLS
  • Canada