Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

In September 2017, our world crashed when I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Over the next several years, I experienced numerous chemotherapy sessions, radiation treatments, a stem cell transplant, many side effects, infections, and another cancer. There were moments when I felt near death.

Although I was a cancer patient many years ago, survivorship is a journey I take every day. Ever since my diagnosis, I’ve spent my free time engaging with the childhood cancer community and learning more about myself.

I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in June 2007, just days before my 5th birthday. I underwent two and a half years of chemotherapy at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and its outpatient facility in Voorhees, NJ. I was declared cancer-free on October 1, 2010 (15 years!).

My leukemia story started in February 2019. I was short of breath, so I had some basic bloodwork. It came back really abnormal, and I was told to proceed to the ER. The next few hours were a complete blur. Once at my treatment hospital, the information was extremely overwhelming. I joined a clinical trial, which has since changed the way acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is being treated.

Caysen was 2½ years old when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) on August 6, 2018. Caysen's baby sister was born on August 31, 2018, and so began the journey of helping our child survive cancer. Caysen endured 822 days of chemotherapy and completed treatment on November 5, 2020.

My daughter Bryn was diagnosed at just four years old in April 2024. Our lives were about to be changed forever. Bryn had pre-B-cell leukemia (B-ALL). She was in preschool, dance, music, and gymnastics classes.

When I was 16 years old, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). I had previously been on track to graduate early, I was just cast in a play, a member of DECA, GSA, the improv team, and Key Club. So, all of that went away. I had to leave school immediately and drop out of all of it, including the play and all the clubs I was in.

I had breast cancer 13 years ago at age 30. I had a double mastectomy and four rounds of chemotherapy. I didn't know that the treatments for breast cancer put me at risk for developing leukemia. But I have since learned that leukemia secondary to breast cancer, while rare (0.5%), does exist. 

I am a woman. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a friend. I am a professional runner for Nike. And I am a childhood cancer survivor.

Most people who know me don’t know that last part.