Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

My name is Sara, and I am an acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivor! I was diagnosed with ALL suddenly in November 2023 at 31 years old. I was feeling off a few months before my diagnosis, but I thought I was overdoing it at the gym, not eating well enough, not stretching enough, and not drinking enough water.

My son, Benjamin, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in February 2019 at the age of four. Due to the unique nature of his presentation, he was placed in the VHR (very high risk) category and underwent three and a half years of treatment.

Our daughter Eliza Cate (nickname is Pickle) was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at the young age of three. She's currently in remission and will celebrate five years of being cancer-free in March 2025.

In January 2018, after months of seeking answers and enduring worsening symptoms, I was finally diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The road to this diagnosis wasn’t easy ― it took three hospital transfers, three bone marrow biopsies, and the loss of my mobility before doctors could pinpoint the cause of my pain.

My name is Janaye, and I am the mother of Sofia, age 4. Her father's name is Gary. On September 1, 2023, Sofia was diagnosed with pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pre-B-ALL). She was three. Today, I will share the story of her diagnosis and our journey thus far.

Thirteen years ago, my cousin brought me and our family into the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) world. Her friend's dad had lost his battle, and I had just begun mine. In November 2011, I was told I had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). After being immediately hospitalized, poked, and prodded, I started on a clinical trial following a pediatric protocol with adult doses.

On February 22, 2011, our 2½-year-old Abigail just stopped walking. We were baffled and took her to the pediatrician who sent us to the hospital to have her tested for a joint infection. After several hours at the ER, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). That was not what we had expected, and we worried about her identical twin as well.

My son, Maverick, a vibrant and spirited young boy, faced a daunting challenge at just 20 months old. His journey began with alarming symptoms — relentless nosebleeds, unexplained bruises, and a petechial rash that spread rapidly. Within three days of the first symptom, he was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) on July 14, 2022.