Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL)

Olivia was diagnosed with Stage 4 Burkitts lymphoma shortly after her 4th Birthday and after her baby sister was born.

It began when she was too weak to walk and misdiagnosed by a couple doctors. It wasn't until she ended up in the emergency room and ICU where they found the cancer.

My story begins in October of 2018. I had recently graduated from college, moved away from home for the first time, settled into my own apartment, and started a full-time job. I felt like I was on the verge of greatness with all of these new and exciting beginnings in my life. I didn't know that I was about to have another massive beginning...

Less than one month before finishing her clinical fellowship year as a speech-language pathologist, Becca was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Her life, as well as that of her family, friends, and dog (Clifford), were turned upside down.

In October 2018, I was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma, oh and I was 5 months pregnant at the time. I had been having recurring bronchitis and sinus infections for several months and I self-diagnosed myself with chronic bronchitis or sinusitis. I went into urgent care in October with severe flu symptoms and a persistent cough that would not go away.

Being a lymphoma survivor means that you have lived through something very challenging. There is no doubt that cancer is one of the most challenging diseases. The treatments for this disease are very intense physically, mentally, and emotionally. As a retired oncology registered nurse, I saw the pain and desperation in the eyes and lives of my patients and their families.

Rachel was diagnosed with stage 4B Hodgkin lymphoma in February 2015. She was 26 years old. The moment when her oncologist first spoke the words “you have cancer” were surreal to her. She looked to her parents who exchanged the same look of disbelief and shock, then quickly looked away before fear and sadness settled across their faces. Her mind started to race, “How am I stage 4?

Hi! My name is Savanna. I am 20 years old, and I am a 2x Hodgkin lymphoma survivor. After being sick for nearly a year and half my freshman year at college, I was unfavorably diagnosed, Stage IV in November 2017.

I was truly blessed to be introduced to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by workers from Duquesne Light Company as well as my daughter, Ebony Jennings who works as a customer service representative for Duquesne Light Company in Pittsburgh PA. First, I must boast about my granddaughter, Laniya S. White, because she’s a TRUE fighter and never allowed lymphoma to define her.

My name is Bethaney Jones and I am a Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor. I was diagnosed in April 2018 after a routine check up for a cough that lasted for months.

After my diagnosis, I was unable to complete the school year with my awesome third graders. I endured six months of chemotherapy and I was able to ring the bell on October 12, one day after my 28th birthday.

I remember diagnosis clearly. I was sitting in the UCSF doctor’s office of a man I had not met before a physician I was referred to. I had first gone to a doctor on my Blue Cross insurance list, a Russian woman who said the word “lymphoma.” I was hoping the foreign word would continue to be foreign.