I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) the summer of 2017, right before the start of my junior year in high school. Due to slow immune recovery after chemotherapy, I experienced many delays in treatment. By spring of the following year, I had a CNS and marrow relapse, requiring me to have a life-saving bone marrow transplant in June of 2018. Following the transplant, my body struggled to produce enough T-cells, which put me in medical isolation for the entirety of my senior year in high school. Despite this setback, I was still able to graduate alongside the rest of my class with honors, and was accepted into my dream college.
Now a rising senior at Saint Mary’s College of California, I not only reflect on what I have accomplished, but what helped get me to where I am today. I am extremely grateful to organizations like The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) for the research they do to provide patients like me the best medical care possible. Not only has LLS given me a chance to receive support, they have given me a platform to share my story and fundraise for such an important cause. Over the years, I have been involved with the annual Light The Night walk and have raised thousands of dollars towards ending blood cancer.
This year, I was asked to be the Honored Hero and represent the East Bay for this year’s walk. I am extremely humbled to have been given this opportunity. Events such as Light The Night have taught me the importance of giving back to my community, and I want to continue to do my best to stay involved.
This all being said, I am also incredibly honored to have been chosen as one of the recipients for this year’s Scholarship for Blood Cancer Survivors through LLS. This scholarship will make a difference in my education because it will not only act as a reminder of all that I have overcome, but will help reduce the amount of student loans I need to borrow. I am so grateful to LLS for selecting me for this opportunity to continue my education. I cannot wait for what’s next!
Dylan
acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
