Storyectomy*

Paul 
Survivorship | Fertility | Being Asian American | The search for a marrow match

Paul’s story is one of community, identity, resilience, and the deep love found in unexpected places—like hundreds of strangers lining up across the country in hopes of saving his life. He reminds us that survivorship is complex and that survivors can reshape identity after cancer in extraordinary ways.

"I’ve had three different blood types over the course of 10 years. I was in my mid-twenties when I got my first cancer diagnosis, and it would take two bone marrow transplants, a CAR-T [treatment], and years of chemo and radiation to get to the point I’m at today. In the immediate chaos of that first diagnosis, I remember going in for lab work and not leaving the hospital for 40 days. As backwards as three different blood types sound, those first 40 days were only the beginning of the strange and sometimes bizarrely beautiful moments of my cancer experience.

During my second diagnosis, I would be searching for a bone marrow match in a registry that spanned HLA samples from all over the world. However, being of a mixed genetic makeup, there were no matches in the database that would have been viable for me. I kept on with the chemo regiments to stymie the growth of the cancer as my doctors and medical team searched.

One day, dazed from treatment, I started getting texts to my phone. Pictures and videos of what looked like hundreds of people in lines, waiting to swab their cheeks at be-the-match drives from Hawaii to D.C. People in my Japanese American community were mobilizing to try and find a cure for me. To this day, I will meet someone for the first time who will tell me they tried to save my life...

Almost ten years on and off with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In that time I started my career, changed my career, got married, moved to Las Vegas and back, made two feature films, ate durian. It’s difficult to not let your cancer define you. To shape your identity when growing out of young adulthood. As small as it is, I still feel just as much that deliciously stinky durian ice cream as I am a cancer survivor. But cancer is a part of my life and for as much as it has made me sacrifice or change, it has also given me love and opportunities that may never have come if not for this disease. Today, I feel close to my community. I strive every day to pursue my passions, and I am less afraid to try in many areas of my life."

David
Life after cancer | Being a young adult in a children’s hospital | Identity and recovery

David's experience shows what it means to rebuild life when illness seems to take everything. His recovery-from paralysis to walking again-reminds us that healing doesn't happen all at once. Sometimes it happens one foot, one step, and one moment of acceptance at a time. 

"On April 15, 2010, I was diagnosed with lymphoma at 20 years old. In my naivety, I thought my disease would resolve itself one way or the other in a timely manner. What ended up happening because of multiple relapses and severe complications is that my disease and recovery consumed my twenties.

After my second relapse in 2012, I was initially told there was nothing left to do. However, my doctor had an idea. I went into remission in June 2012 and have remained cancer-free since. Unfortunately, my treatment had to be so intense that I was left paralyzed from the waist down. I’m not sure that paralysis being the result of three years of cancer treatment is something I could have accepted. I couldn’t see a road forward that I had any particular interest in going down. Fortunately, after almost two months of paralysis, that same doctor had another idea. After the first treatment to reverse the damage, I was able to move my foot. From that day of moving my foot to being able to walk without the use of any aid took four and a half years.

It took a long time to process what happened to me. I think I’m still trying to make some kind of peace with everything that happened. There are still moments after all these years that I can’t even bring myself to think about. After years of feeling like my entire life had been paused, I finally felt well enough to move away from my home in Cleveland. I felt like ‘cancer guy’ had become my identifier.

I’m sure people didn’t really think of me like that, but I couldn’t shake that feeling. But as I have gotten more removed from my treatment, and specifically since I have become engaged to someone that I did not know during my treatment, I’ve come to the realization that I am ‘cancer guy.’ It’s just not the pejorative that I once thought. 

My cancer treatment and years of recovery are on page one of my story. It is simply impossible to know me unless I have talked with you about my experiences. I am no longer able to run thanks to the side effects of my treatment, but even if I could run from my past and the pain associated with it, I wouldn’t. It is an enormous part of my identity, and I now know that embracing this is my road ahead."

Georgia
Diagnosed with multi-phenotype acute leukemia at 16 | Young adult perspective | Back to school with hair loss

Georgia’s experience includes what so many adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients face: treatment that upends school, friendships, appearance, and identity. Today, she uses her story to bring courage to others so no young person feels alone, the way she once did.

“’Georgia, you have cancer.’

At 16, what are you supposed to do with that information?

When I heard those four words, I didn’t cry. Instead, I sat on the hospital bed in pure shock. I remember looking to my right where my mom was sitting on a window bench. It was like I could see her heart sink to her chest. She stood up, nearly passing out. She sat next to me on the bed and broke down in tears.

This was the moment I knew I had to stay strong. I hated seeing her cry, so I knew I had no choice other than to fight.

I went through intense treatment for multi-phenotype acute leukemia (APL) for two and a half years.

Throughout those years, I suffered from every rare side effect imaginable from a stroke and seizure on the same day, to pancreatitis, liver failure, blood clots, brain toxicity—leaving me unable to speak, going to physical rehab because I could no longer walk, and more. I think it’s safe to say those two and a half years were a living hell.

When I finally rang the bell in 2023, I knew my story wasn’t over yet. It just didn’t feel right to go through all of that and just forget about it. I knew I wanted to use the bad that happened to me and turn it into good for others. So that’s exactly what I have been doing ever since.

I had the privilege of being the honored hero for Blood Cancer United Student Visionaries of the Year. Once getting involved with the incredible organization, I stayed connected and have had the opportunity to share my story at events to inspire others.

Seeing the impact my story has on people is what keeps me going. While I was in my battle, I felt so alone and had nobody my age to relate to. I hope by continuing to share my story as a teenager who battled cancer, I can inspire and be the light for somebody else."

Adam
Leukemia | Willpower | Humor as survival

Adam reminds us that cancer doesn’t discriminate, early symptoms can be subtle, and humor is sometimes the lifeline that carries you through the unthinkable. His voice is bold, unapologetic, and honest—just the kind of storytelling that gives shame no place to hide.

"Whether you consider yourself a decent person or not, blood cancer does not care. It can trick you into thinking that you’re just fatigued or maybe you just need glasses. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about this is to listen to your body when it’s trying to tell you something isn’t right. Blurry vision can be a warning sign of cancer or leukemia. I found that out the hard way on the week of Christmas 2023.

I honestly don’t know how I would’ve gotten through that unexpected battle without the love and support from my family and friends. I never understood what people meant whenever they had to go through an ordeal like this one when they said they had to ‘fight’ until it was my turn. I felt scared and unprepared, like having to take a test that I didn’t study for. Only instead of a passing grade, I get to be alive if I pass it. Luckily, I did. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here to tell you my story.

Bruce Lee once said,: ‘There is no weapon more deadly than the will.’ And what I hope to explain with my story is that it really is a strong matter of will that’s the secret weapon in this fight. That and an excellent medical staff that I’m forever grateful for.

Leukemia is a bully, and the best way to humiliate any bully is to talk crap about him in front of everybody just to show he’s not the badass he makes himself out to be. And it can be squashed. People like me and many others are literally living proof of that. Let’s not give cancer the satisfaction. Let’s not fear it. Let blood cancer know you’re not backing down and that you have other plans."

Ilana
Graft-versus-host disease | Stereotypes | Appearance | Stem cell transplant | Being your own advocate

Ilana’s decade-long experience of complications, and extraordinary resilience shows the truth behind survivorship: you need a village, you must advocate for yourself, and you deserve to live every day like it’s a miracle. Her wisdom, strength, and humor light the way for anyone that still needs hope.

"I thought I was doing everything right. Married for 38 years to the love of my life. Five wonderful sons, three daughters-in-law. Tough, rewarding career as an executive at a huge pharma company. Traveled extensively for business. Ran 20 miles a week. Never smoked and rarely drank. I planned to retire at 65. Then my husband and I would travel to all the places on our bucket list.

But the day I was diagnosed with leukemia, that life was gone.

I had acute myeloid leukemia--a deadly cancer that only 20 percent of patients survive to five years. I remember thinking, through tears, that I would never see my grandchildren.

How did I survive that?
A generous stem cell donor who said ‘yes’ when he could have said ‘no.’ I literally have his blood now. Amazing doctors and nurses at City of Hope who treated me with expertise and big hearts.

But mostly because of the love and support of my village. My family and friends rejoiced with me at every small victory. They carried me on their shoulders when all my hope was gone. They gave me strength when I had none. And especially my husband who, for five months, never once missed a day of driving 130 miles round-trip to visit me in the hospital. We shared so many happy moments during that hellish time. Especially when we saw the ultrasound of our first grandson.

And as I bounced back from so much adversity, my friends started calling me ‘Wonder Woman.’ Now they just call me ‘The Beast!’

What have I learned from blood cancer?
• You need a village! Their love will help keep you alive.
• You have to be your healthcare advocate! This is your cancer. Get what you need.
• You have to pay it forward! Donate, volunteer, help others. It will feed your soul.
• You have to live every day like it’s a miracle!"

Andrew
Research and funding | Fundraising | Fatherhood | Finding strength through purpose

Andrew’s story blends humor, country music, grit, and deep gratitude. His experience underscores the lifesaving power of research and Blood Cancer United-funded treatments—and highlights the importance of mindset, support, and giving back.

"Friday the 13th in November 2015 is a day I’ll never forget. The day started with a trip to the doctor because I wasn’t feeling well. Before I knew it, I found myself in a cold room inside a circular tube of a CAT scan machine.

About an hour after undergoing the CAT scan, I got a call from my doc. ‘Great news, it’s lymphoma!’ he said emphatically! Um… Ah… How exactly is that great news?

Although my cancer experience was tough, with so many complications along the way, and some lingering health issues to this day, the doctor was right. it was great news because I had the ‘good type of Hodgkins,’ the one with a cure.

I’m convinced that I am alive today because of three things.

One: My friends and family who supported me and my family. 
Two: Blood Cancer United funded cancer drugs that saved my life.
Three: My mindset. I knew with 100 percent certainty that I was going to beat cancer.

I signed up for Storyectomy to share my story. The highs and lows, the incredible life lessons I learned, and how cancer has made me a stronger, better person."

Why your story matters
Blood Cancer United believes that storytelling is not extra—it’s essential. Mental health, belonging, and connection are as important as medicine. When people share their lived experiences, we:

• Destigmatize fear, shame, and isolation
• Build community across ages, backgrounds, and diagnoses
• Show others that healing is not linear—and never solitary
• Inspire hope and remind us that everyone has a story worth telling

Events like this one are a reminder: you are never alone in your experience.

Your story has the power to change lives. 

By sharing your experience, you can inspire and uplift all people living with blood cancer and their loved ones. Whether you are a patient, survivor, caregiver, advocate, family member, volunteer, researcher, healthcare professional, and/or supporter, we invite you to submit your story and be part of our community. Your story may be featured on our national social and digital channels providing hope and inspiration when it’s needed most.

Share your story with us here: https://bloodcancerunited.org/about-us/stories/submission