My brother was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in September 1996 and passed away in April 1997, his senior year of high school and less than a month after turning 18. As a young person watching my brother suffer through his cancer diagnosis and subsequent death, it took away pieces of me that I will never get back. Not only me but my parents, his friends, our church, and strangers alike. Throughout the years, I have felt exhausted in grief as I denied my feelings, only to be hit by it in full force in unexpected moments.
I’d like to speak about him, and I’m here as a supporter of the sibling survivors of this deadly blood cancer.
I’m also here to start participating through The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in the future. I’ve thought about participating in so many ways but have not up until this point. Participating and telling his story means to me that one day there will be a cure and better treatment for blood cancers such as leukemia.
Christal
Family member/surviving sibling/counselor
