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Keana is
Blood Cancer United

Close up of Keana in a hospital gown, smiling

Hello, my name is Keana. I am 26 years old, and I was born in Columbus Ohio. I was born with a rare heart condition called “hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.” It is a hereditary disease on my mother’s side. Many family members, including my mother, have passed away from the disease, and the other half received heart transplants, which is what led to me. I recently got my heart transplant in September 2021 and was admitted to the hospital for three months, one before and two after. After my heart transplant, I came in contact with COVID. After getting COVID, it was discovered that I had a rare cancer due to the donor's heart having mono, and I never had, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). I am currently still going through treatment. I was admitted to the hospital after having a stroke due to the stress of it all. It’s going on 11 months of treatment. I just want to inspire other people to keep going and never give up!

Keana

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

We are Blood Cancer United.

Everyone affected by blood cancer—patients, survivors, caregivers, researchers, advocates, fundraisers, everyone—has a story. Share yours.
Lisa and a man standing in a football stadium holding white, yellow and red Light The Night lanterns

Lisa

Lymphoma survivor

Steve

NHL Survivor

Tricia

T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LL)

Varad

non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

Felicia

non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

Allison

non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

Marko

anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL)

Jessica

nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma (NSHL)

Steven

non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

Susanne

diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)

Peyton

non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

Dixie

non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

We are Blood Cancer United.

Everyone affected by blood cancer—patients, survivors, caregivers, researchers, advocates, fundraisers, everyone—has a story. Share yours.
Lisa and a man standing in a football stadium holding white, yellow and red Light The Night lanterns

Lisa

Lymphoma survivor

Steve

NHL Survivor

Tricia

T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LL)

Varad

non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

Felicia

non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

Allison

non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

Marko

anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL)

Jessica

nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma (NSHL)

Steven

non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

Susanne

diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)

Peyton

non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

Dixie

non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

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