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Krystina is
Blood Cancer United

Suzie's daughter Krystina, sitting on grass outside in a coat and ball cap, with 2 big dogs, smiling

On June 13, 2014, my sweet daughter Krystina was diagnosed with PH positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Unfortunately, all her chemotherapy treatments didn't seem to work.

After a year of chemotherapy, Krystina and her doctor decided to do a stem cell (umbilical cord blood) transplant. She had the procedure on July 1, 2015 but her body couldn't fight the infections. With a low immune system and three trips to the intensive care unit, her kidneys, lungs and heart just couldn't continue to function.

Neutropenia, sepsis and respiratory issues set in and on July 15, 2015, my sweet Krystina went to be our guardian angel. Sadly, her leukemia was not what took her life. It was all the chemotherapy and radiation, which made her body unable to keep fighting.

We need an easier way to cure this horrible blood cancer, hopefully a less aggressive treatment so a body can build a stronger immune system while killing cells. A miracle I know, but I can only hope for others.

-- Suzie (Krystina's mother)

Krystina

In Memory

We are Blood Cancer United.

Everyone affected by blood cancer—patients, survivors, caregivers, researchers, advocates, fundraisers, everyone—has a story. Share yours.

Kayla

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL)

Sara

acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

Paul

acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

Maggie

volunteer and caregiver

Eliza Cate

acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

Yesenia

acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Sofia

pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pre-B-ALL)

Jess

acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

Kim

Parent and Caregiver

Maverick

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL)

Rex

Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL)

Nevaeh age 2 standing outside in a lacy white summer dress, cowbow boots and hat, and a huge smile

Nevaeh

acute myeloid leukemia (AML+MLLr)

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