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Bonnie is
Blood Cancer United

Headshot of Bonnie, a cancer survivor

I went to the ER with chest pain in March of 2013 when my doctor saw a spot in my CAT scan the size of an orange. A few days later, I had a biopsy and it came back as stage 3 large B-cell lymphoma.

Since I was only 29, he thought I would be strong enough to take the treatments so he planned to hit me with everything he had. Within a few days, I had a mediport in on the left side of my chest because the spot was on the right but the cancer was so aggressive it had already spread across my entire left side.

I started four different types of chemo treatments, which I took every 21 days for six months followed by two months of radiation treatments. I lost all my hair within two weeks and it made me very sick, causing me to lose a lot of weight. Despite all that, as of November 2014, I have been in remission.

I feel like a baby at times because I'm still so tired all the time and very depressed. I don't have a recent picture of me since my hair has came back and it came back very curly. This has been one of the hardest times in my life and without God and my two boys I don't think I could have survived. I have always taken care of my family. I've been the one they always ran to when times were tough and they still did. Somehow I have managed to take care of everybody while keeping myself alive and okay for my two beautiful boys and the wonderful man in my life, Jack.

Bonnie

Lymphoma

We are Blood Cancer United.

Everyone affected by blood cancer—patients, survivors, caregivers, researchers, advocates, fundraisers, everyone—has a story. Share yours.
James, volunteer and survivor, pictured with group of friends

James

Volunteer and survivor

lynette-m-1_dam_file_19991.jpeg

Lynette

Volunteer

Headshot of Todd wearing suit and tie, a cancer survivor

Todd

Volunteer

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

Two children stand together on a wooden bridge at a theme park, wearing colorful character-themed outfits and mouse ear headbands, with a large green topiary figure and water feature in the background—highlighting childhood joy, family moments, and hope within the blood cancer community and pediatric blood cancer awareness.

Riley

Family member and caregiver

Rachel in hospital with head wrap holding "It's my last day of chemo" sign

Rachel

lymphoma

Woman with glasses looking into camera

Chrissy

B-cell follicular lymphoma (FL)

Heriberto, Burkitt lymphoma (BL) patient, with wife on his wedding day

Heriberto

Burkitt lymphoma (BL)

Photo of a mature woman standing on a savannah feeding a giraffe out of her hand

Lisa

Lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)/acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

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