In 2001, I was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) at age 3 and survived thanks to 3 ½ years of intense treatment at City of Hope Los Angeles. I am now 27 years old, a college graduate, and working for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) now Blood Cancer United, hoping to give back to those who helped save my life.
I have volunteered with Blood Cancer United since 2009 after being chosen as their "Girl of the Year" to inspire candidates to raise money for blood cancer research.
In 2017, I became a candidate for the Students of the Year campaign raising over 60,000 dollars in 7 weeks. I have also fundraised for Light The Night, Visionaries of the Year and created a Dare to Dream Days campaign in 2025 with a goal of $20,001 in honor of my diagnosis. We exceeded our goal in 5 days.
My life with Blood Cancer United has now come full circle as I have been part of the Blood Cancer United team as a staff member. First as a Campaign Development Manager for the Student of the Year Campaign and now in the role of Advancement Manager in the Greater Los Angeles region.
Kelly
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL)
