• LLS
  • TEAM IN TRAINING
  • Light The Night
  • Man & Woman of the Year
  • Students of the Year
  • Regatta
  • Hero Squad
  • Lifestyle
  • 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
    • 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
      • 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
    • Man & Woman of the Year
    • Students of the Year
    • Regatta
    • Hero Squad
    • Lifestyle
    • Big Climb
    Community

Search Events for:

  • All Survivor Stories Toni

Toni

APL Survivor

Edison, NJ

  • Print

Ten years ago, my life became a sudden standstill. Newly engaged, I was working two jobs and life was good. Then, I caught what I thought was a cold. On the second day of taking antibiotics I woke up with black and blue marks all over my stomach and back. I was rushed to the hospital.

 Upon completing an examination, I was told I had acute promyelocytie leukemia (APL), the most acute leukemia there was. I was told I needed immediate treatment or I would not make it more than 30 days. Well at that time, I literally almost had a heart attack, my blood pressure skyrocketed and I was heavily sedated to calm me down.

I was alone in my hospital room for 31 days, scared, losing my hair, receiving blood transfusion continuously, and chemo. However, I was treated by a wonderful research team at Robert Wood Johnson Cancer Center in New Brunswick, New Jersey. My treatment was new and at first, my insurance was not going to pay. Thankfully, my fellow coworkers and friends raised money for me to get my meds.

LLS continued to fight to get my meds approved and they won. Here I am 10 years later. Never give up. I planned my wedding from my hospital was able to take my honeymoon during my chemo treatments and I am still happily married. We have four children and 12 grandchildren that keep us going. Never give up.

Previous Story Elyse
Next Story Taylor
Previous Story Elyse
Next Story Taylor

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

Follow Us

Honored Friend


Burlington

National Presenting Sponsor of Survivorship & Hope


Pharmacyclics-Janssen

Leading Lights


Walgreens
The Wawa Foundation

Luminary


Abbvie
Amgen Oncology
AstraZeneca
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Carter's
Elbit Systems of America
FIS - Empowering the Financial World
Genentech - Biogen - A Member of the Roche Group
Kite - a Gilead Company
Pfizer
UFCW

Retail Partners


Global Franchise Group
IHOP
Stater Bros Charities

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