Tammy was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) in September 2008. At the time, Tammy was shocked and frightened at thought of having blood cancer, but thankful to finally get an explanation for the symptoms she had been experiencing for eight months prior. Testing revealed that Tammy had Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+CML) which carried a survival rate of about five years with traditional treatment. Fortunately, Tammy was deemed the perfect candidate for a newer, more targeted chemotherapy. The treatment was made possible through research funded in part by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She began treatment in October 2008 and was in remission by December.
Although Tammy remains on maintenance treatment and commonly experiences side effects of fatigue, she continues to enjoy life to its fullest each and every day. Tammy is grateful for the Light The Night events because they have given her the opportunity to meet others who share her cancer journey and she has been able to witness how research has improved the treatment and prognosis for many.
Make a donation to Tammy's fundraising team here:
https://pages.lightthenight.org/va/Richmond18/tammystroopers