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Bethany is
Blood Cancer United

Bethany Shantz with her family, a cancer survivor

I was 28, married for two years, and my husband and I had just celebrated our one-year anniversary at my business, Gigi’s Cupcakes. But on March 30, 2012, that all changed.

I had gone to see my physician for bruising on my legs. After extensive blood work and a bone marrow test, they eventually confirmed I had chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in the chronic phase. I was started on an oral chemo pill, Tasigna, which I would expect to be on for the rest of my life.  

Now for the next exciting part to my story. With lots of help we were able to have a carrier bless us with two sweet little babies who are almost a year old. The doctors were able to get two eggs that hadn’t been affected by chemo, and now those are our two sweet little twins, Taylor Anne and Weston.  

So needless to say, I am alive and here today because of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and amazingly generous people who dedicate time and money to helping find a cure. Hard to put into words how thankful I am to be ALIVE, to be in remission, to have hope for so many more wonderful years alive.  

 

Bethany

CML Survivor

We are Blood Cancer United.

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

Kendra

chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

Isabel

chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)

Graham, CML survivor, pictured with wife on wedding day

Graham

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) survivor

Nicole in a light blue dress, arm around her brother who is wearing a tuxedo, both are smiling

Nicole

Volunteer

Dottie smiling in her dining room

Dorothy

Volunteer and CML survivor

Kessler

Volunteer

Mid-Atl BCC logo lock 11.1.22

Sal

Leukemia Survivor

Woman and man smiling, holding a smiling little boy

Charity

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

Bethany Shantz with her family, a cancer survivor

Bethany

CML Survivor

Jennifer

LLS Volunteer

Myeloma Link logo lock 10.26.22

Judy

chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

Headshot of Andrea, a cancer survivor

Andrea

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

We are Blood Cancer United.

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

Kendra

chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

Isabel

chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)

Graham, CML survivor, pictured with wife on wedding day

Graham

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) survivor

Nicole in a light blue dress, arm around her brother who is wearing a tuxedo, both are smiling

Nicole

Volunteer

Dottie smiling in her dining room

Dorothy

Volunteer and CML survivor

Kessler

Volunteer

Mid-Atl BCC logo lock 11.1.22

Sal

Leukemia Survivor

Woman and man smiling, holding a smiling little boy

Charity

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

Bethany Shantz with her family, a cancer survivor

Bethany

CML Survivor

Jennifer

LLS Volunteer

Myeloma Link logo lock 10.26.22

Judy

chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

Headshot of Andrea, a cancer survivor

Andrea

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

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