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Alana is
Blood Cancer United

Alana wearing white dress standing on grass, a cancer survivor

My name is Alana, and I’m 17 years old. Here is my story. 

On June 29, 2021, I was out having dinner with my family, and my smartwatch told me that my heart rate was really high. So, after we got done with dinner, we went to the ER. There they told me that they had found a mass in my chest and that I needed to be transferred to the children's hospital in Austin, Texas. They did some bloodwork, and then they noticed the swollen lymph node in my neck. That’s when they did the biopsy, and it was confirmed the next day that I had classic Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). That same day they put a PICC line in my arm and started chemotherapy the next day. The mass in my chest was closing off my lung, and they said it was almost like my lung was a straw. I went through six months of chemotherapy, and on November 5, 2021, I was officially cancer-free!

Alana

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)

We are Blood Cancer United.

Everyone affected by blood cancer—patients, survivors, caregivers, researchers, advocates, fundraisers, everyone—has a story. Share yours.
Lisa and a man standing in a football stadium holding white, yellow and red Light The Night lanterns

Lisa

Lymphoma survivor

James, volunteer and survivor, pictured with group of friends

James

Volunteer and survivor

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Lynette

Volunteer

Headshot of Todd wearing suit and tie, a cancer survivor

Todd

Volunteer

Smiling person with short hair and glasses photographed against a light background, expressing warmth, resilience, and hope while representing the blood cancer community.

Danyele

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)

A group of children and an adult stand together inside a large, illuminated droplet‑shaped display surrounded by handwritten messages of support. A sign below reads “Blood Cancer United,” with a QR code lit underneath. The colorful, hopeful scene reflects community solidarity and awareness for blood cancer.

Bruce

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)

A person sits in a treatment chair wearing a black shirt that reads “DONE” with a purple heart ribbon, holding a small dog pillow while connected to medical equipment. The clinical setting and triumphant message on the shirt create a powerful moment that can accompany stories related to blood cancer, resilience, and completing treatment milestones.

Jessica

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)

Young adult blood cancer survivor, Olivia, with her hands in the air celebrating

Olivia

Stage IVB Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)

Family visiting a loved one during blood cancer treatment in a hospital room. A patient rests in a hospital bed surrounded by family members wearing protective masks, with medical equipment visible nearby. This powerful image highlights the impact of blood cancer on families, the importance of caregiver support, and the realities of leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancer treatments during hospitalization.

Brandon

Family member and supporter

Alec standing in front of LightThe Night signage in a park at a Light The Night event. Alec is wearing a blue shirt with the words, "Survivor, Light The Night" printed on it and holding a white Light The Night survivor lantern.

Alec

Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL)

Headshot of Nastasha, shoulder length straight blonde hair, in a red jacket and smiling

Natasha

primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL)

Snapshot of Tricia with her family, a cancer survivor

Tricia

Staff

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is now Blood Cancer United. Learn more.