Meet Jessica Buckman

The North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is thrilled to introduce its newest addition to the Special Events department.  Meet Jessica Buckman.  She is joining LLS as a campaign specialist and will be working out of the Dallas office.  Jessica will be working on the Big D Climb event as well as the Man Woman of the Year Campaign. Read below as this dynamic woman introduces herself.

"I am so excited to be a new member of the LLS North Texas family! It has always been my dream to work for a cancer research non- profit in their special events department and I can’t believe my dream has finally come true!

As a native of Dallas, I first fell in love with serving others during a semester long service project for a local elementary school my senior year at Bishop Lynch High School.  I continued this experience by dedicating my college spring breaks to week long service trips. These trips allowed me to impact lives in Louisiana, by helping with Hurricane Katrina relief, and in Mississippi, where I volunteered at an early Head Start Program.

I graduated from Texas A&M University back in 2014 where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. After I graduated, I moved to Austin, TX where I worked for a non-profit named Phoenix Arising, that taught after school and summer STEM classes to underprivileged youth in Travis County.

Two years later I am back in Dallas and I am so excited to see what lies ahead with LLS!”

We are happy to have Jessica as part of the North Texas LLS family.  Reach out and introduce yourself.  She can be contacted at Jessica.Buckman@lls.org or (972) 996-5929.  

What A Weekend: Join Us

It's only Monday but we are looking ahead to a wild and crazy weekend for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in North Texas.  There are a number of exciting events happening and you are invited to attend each and every one!

SATURDAY

This Saturday morning is the last open training for the SPRUMMER season for Team In Training (TNT).  What is opening training?  It is a chance to preview a typical training with TNT without any commitment.  Meet your potential future TEAM members, your coaches and staff person and get an idea of what the next 12-14 weeks would entail.  There are a number of training locations so contact your local staff to find the sport and training location closest to you.

Kelsey Thompson, the LLS Patient Access Manager at Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center at Dallas, is one of the presenters at Baylor's Super Saturday.  The session runs from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.  The topic is "I Didn't Budget for Cancer" and will be led by Ryan Groce, a financial advisor with Northwestern Mutual.  He will discuss the impact cancer has on your finances, provide a budgeting tool and suggest questions you should ask throughout the process.  Registration for this event is required,

Ivie & Associates, the Big D Climb Presenting Sponsor, is hosting their Annual Rock for the Climb fundraiser this Saturday at Love & War In Texas at the Grapevine location.  This family friendly event is open to all LLS supporters and proceeds will benefit the Big D Climb.  Tickets are available for purchase at the door.

SUNDAY

The North Texas Chapter is launching the inaugural Student of the Year campaign this Sunday at the Allen American's Hockey game.  Come celebrate the new fundraising program and meet the candidates at the 4:00 p.m. game.  Click here to purchase your tickets and $4 of every ticket will support the Student of the Year candidates.  Contact Paige Wiebler if you would like more information.

Schools participating in the Student Series program can also raise funds for their efforts by purchasing tickets to this event.  $4 of each of the tickets purchased under a specific school's name will be credited back to its fundraising.

We hope to see you at one of these events!

Mark Your Calendars: 2016 is a Busy Year

2016 is off to a fast start for the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).  Grab your calendars and jot down a couple key dates that are coming up in the next couple weeks and months.

Big D Climb

Saturday, January 30th

Dallas

Light The Night
Registration Opens

February 4, 2016

North Texas

Team In Training SPRUMMER Kickoff
Saturday, February 6th

Dallas

Saint Valentine's Day Luncheon & Fashion Show

Tuesday, February 16th

Dallas

LLS/Chipotle Benefit Day

Thursday, February 18th

Texas-wide

Student of the Year Kickoff

February 28th

Dallas

Student of the Year Grand Finale
April 2nd

Dallas

Man & Woman of the Year Kickoff
April 12th

Dallas

Man & Woman of the Year Grand Finale

June 18th

Dallas

Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament
Monday, June 27th
TPC Four Seasons Golf Course

Blood Cancer Awareness Month
September 1-30th
Nationwide

North Texas Blood Cancer Conference & Expo

September 9-10th

Dallas

North Texas Giving Day
September 22, 2016
Online

Light The Night - Fort Worth
October 30th
Fort Worth

Light The Night - Dallas
November 6
Dallas

Meet The Man Behind the Camera

Meet Mark Lenz.  He's the man behind the camera at a number of events for the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).  If you have ever looked at the pictures after a race, walk or climb and felt like you were there; it's because Mark's creativity behind the lens captures the essence of the event and the teams participating.  He is a longtime member of the North Texas Board of Trustees and also serves on the Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament committee.

Tell us about your history with LLS in North Texas.

My friend, Jim Willis, was diagnosed with leukemia in the mid 1990s and I played in the first Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament that he started with fellow blood cancer patient Bob Barker in 1997.  Bob is still with us, but Jim is not.  I stay involved to support Bob, who has fought the good fight and still is doing so.  After volunteering on the golf committee for years, I was approached to join the board of trustees and have been involved with the board since 2002.

Since I started volunteering with LLS in 1997, I have experienced blood cancers in my extended family.  My cousin’s daughter passed away at the age of nine, just after starting treatment for her blood cancer and another cousin has chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Participation with LLS has become a family affair.  Tell us more about that.

My father has participated in the Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament for many years and has encouraged his friends to get involved.  My wife, Patti, has participated in or volunteered in several events over the years, including many years in the School and Youth program when our children were still in school.  My son, Brian, has volunteered at the golf tournament several times and has participated in the Big D Climb.

What makes photographing LLS events so challenging?

There is so much going on and trying to find something that tells the story amidst all of the chaos is the challenge.  The group shots and the actual event shots are always part of what I do, but finding something special that says why we raise money to fight the fight without needing words is what I try to look for.  And it is not always there or easy to find in a large group of people.

Rewarding?

Being able to interact with participants in the events and learn their stories, even if just briefly, and thanking them for their participation since they take time out of their schedules to be there instead of doing something else.  Hopefully I can take shots that they will share with their friends and family to show what we do and maybe get more participants the next time, or shots that the LLS can use to market what we do in a more productive way.

Which are your favorite pictures from events?

Photos that tell a story without words, like the photo of the boy with the tag saying I am walking for my mommy from Fort Worth Light The Night Walk a few years ago, or the boy with white lantern on his father’s shoulders in Fort Worth a couple weeks ago.  (White lanterns are carried by survivors, red by supporters and gold in honor of those who have lost their battle with a blood cancer.)  Otherwise, it is groups or individuals that really show they back the cause, because of what they are wearing, or a sign created for the event, or just how they act.

You can see more of Mark's photos on our Facebook page.  Like us today and follow along with Mark's incredible work.

Big D Climb: Meet Alex Agnor

November is a time when people pause to count their blessings.  The Big D Climb staff and participants are doing the same.  Today we would like to introduce you to Alex Agnor.  Not only is she a longtime Big D Climb participant, a Big D Climb committee member and an Honored Hero for the event, but she is also a survivor.  Today she talks about how thankful she is for being able to fulfill all of these roles.

"November 5, 2014 marked a very special day in my cancer survivorship journey.  As I was watching the election results roll in the night before, it suddenly hit me.  Ten years ago to the day, I (like the rest of the country) watched as the presidential election results were coming in state by state, with the US map lit up in an array of red and blue.

With the news in the background, I was perusing my list of symptoms on WebMD, trying to piece together what might be wrong with me.  Knots in the back of my head, recurring rash on legs, lack of energy… what could it be?...Infection, lupus, lymphoma, leukemia…?  Meanwhile, WHO would it be? Bush? Kerry?  I went to bed that night without any answers, but hopeful for the future.

The next morning, November 5, 2004, my first stop was the Texas Tech University medical clinic for follow-up blood work.  For the past three weeks, I visited the clinic frequently, complaining of my symptoms.  I was initially treated with antibiotics for what was thought to be a bacterial infection.  My initial blood results in October were slightly abnormal, and additional testing was recommended since I was not responding to the antibiotics.

I left the clinic that morning, somehow, more concerned than anything else with the election results and where I could grab a bite of breakfast before class.  Sonic it was, and I sat in my car listening to talk radio while enjoying a breakfast toaster sandwich.  I remember talking to my mom, who was more on pins and needles than I was, and telling her that I should have the results in a couple of days. Or so I thought…

Around 5:00 that evening as I was getting out of class, I realized that I missed a call from the clinic.  I hurriedly listened to the voicemail and couldn't make heads or tails of the medical jargon being used, but it was clear that they wanted me to return right away.  Shocked, scared, confused…I can’t pinpoint the emotion and, quite frankly, it is a bit of a blur. 

I made it back to the clinic; it felt like Groundhog’s Day.  I was immediately called into an exam room.  The doctor, along with several nurses, slowly entered.  Why are all these people here?  The doctor explained that I needed to be referred to a hematologist for further testing – my white and red blood cell counts, among other things, were far outside of the normal range.  He said I needed to be tested for lymphoma.  The nurses looked at me comfortingly, yet with sad eyes, awaiting my reaction.

 Okay.

Honestly, I didn't know how to react.  Even with all of my WebMD research, I hadn’t picked up on the fact that lymphoma was a cancer.  (To this day, I am ashamed to admit that.)  Seeing that I wasn’t having an emotional outburst, one of the nurses called me into her office to help schedule my appointment with the hematologist.  The first available opening happened to fall on an exam day, and anyone who knows me, won’t be surprised to hear that I attempted to push back this appointment to be sure I could make my exam.  It was at this point that the nurse must have realized how clueless I truly was.

But then, in an instant, my naiveté was gone.  I looked down at my chart and read upside down “R/O Leukemia or Lymphoma.”  Leukemia???  I knew what leukemia was; I knew it was cancer.  Images of the children from St. Jude commercials immediately clouded my vision.  My eyes welled up with tears; my heart pounded; every part of my body shook.  The next thing I knew, the doctor walked into the office.  In the haze that was November 5, 2004, I can somehow vividly remember looking at him with tears in my eyes and a frog in my throat asking “Is this something serious?”  Like any doctor would, he tried comforting me and explained that we needed to rule everything out (hence R/O; another new term for me).  The haze took over.  I honestly can’t tell you if an appointment with a hematologist was made or not, but I just knew I needed to get out of there.  I am sure I called my mom immediately and in hysterics. 

Buses were no longer running on campus, so I started the long haul to my car, alone and in shambles.  Luckily, and quite miraculously, my little sis from my sorority just happened to be driving through campus and stopped to help me.  She had no idea what she was driving up on, but she listened and tried reassuring me as she took me safely to my car.

Over the next few days, I loaded up my life as I knew it—a worry-free, 20 year old junior at Texas Tech – and became a blood cancer patient.  Just like that, I went from living in an apartment with my best friend to sharing a small hospital room with my mom. It was surreal to say the least.

Three rounds of chemo between November and March would prepare me for the bone marrow transplant from an unrelated, international donor on March 18, 2005 that would ultimately save my life.  I am so thankful to my donor, Henrik, for giving me the most invaluable gift—a second chance.

After all that I have been through, I am so glad that November 5, 2014 stopped me in my tracks and gave me time to reflect.  That day marked the first day in my year of TEN!  I will soon be ten years cancer free, and I can’t think of anything better to be thankful for this year.  I wouldn't be where I am today, had I not lost my naiveté, been forced to grow up far too fast, and fought a battle with cancer that far too many have to face.  But honestly, I wouldn't change it for the world.

My survivorship journey has led me here, to write this blog for LLS and the Big D Climb, in hopes that my story will inspire you to get involved to help LLS realize its mission of finding a cure for blood cancer.  Someday is Today!  It is my battle with leukemia, and the battles of countless others, that motivate me to reach the top every year at the Big D Climb.  It is fitting that we have a few more flights to climb this year—I will cherish each extra step because they push me closer to the big TEN. On March 18, 2015, I will be 10 years cancer free.  I climb for LLS in the hope of helping others reach this same milestone.  I am forever grateful to LLS for allowing me the opportunity to give back.

My name is Alex Agnor, and I am a leukemia survivor.  "

Inspired by Alex's story?  Honor her fight and join her at the Big D Climb by registering today.

 www.bigdlcimb.org

Meet the 2015 Big D Climb Co-Chair: Loan Huynh

Loan Huynh is co-chairing the 2015 Big D Climb with Julie Westbrook Eisenberg.  Loan wears many hats for the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).  She is a member of the Board of Trustees, a volunteer, advocate and most importantly, a blood cancer survivor.  Meet this dynamic and engaging woman and learn more about what she and Julie have in store for the Big D Climb.

What is your connection to LLS and its mission? 
I am a two-time survivor of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).  I was originally diagnosed in 2005 when I lived in Chicago.  After treatments and going into remission, I moved down to DFW  where I relapsed 30 months later.  After another bout of treatments and a bone marrow transplant, I wanted to help this cause.  It is because of organizations like LLS, that I am able to be here today.  The research they do to find treatments and someday a cure has impacted me directly.

How many years have you been involved with the Big D Climb & in what capacity?  
I participated in the very first Big D Climb!  For the first year we had a team of 13 close friends and family.  The following year our team grew to about 25 which included several co-workers from Ivie & Associates.  It really surprised us and Warren & Kay Ivie (Ivie & Associates owners) how much this event inspired our associates.  From then on Ivie & Associates have been corporate chairs and sponsor of this great event.  Our team grows every year!  Last year we had over 140 climbers and volunteers!  We expect to exceed that this year!

What are you most excited about for the upcoming Big D Climb?  
I think the excitement is the same every year for me.  It doesn't get old.  It's so cool to see crowds of people gathering to support such an amazing cause!  The event gets bigger and bigger with more sponsors, more activities and this year more stairs.  Yikes!

Why should people get registered for the climb now?  
You should register and start training now!  It's great to get a jump start on the training and fundraising.  You definitely want to get in on early registration to take advantage of the lower registration price.  But you want to register, get your team started and get the excitement going.  We're all there to raise money and awareness for blood cancer research but if you can put on a tu-tu, climb some stairs and have some fun in the mean time, all the better!

Tell us your strategy for conquering a taller climb this year.  
Slow and steady wins the race!  :)

Register today at www.bigdclimb.org

Ivie & Associates 2014 Big D Climb team

Big D Climb: Meet a 2015 Chair

Julie Westbrook Eisenberg is one of the co-chairs for the 2015 Big D Climb.  Meet this working mother of two and find out why she is so passionate about helping to expand one of North Texas' fastest-growing events.

What is your connection to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and its mission?
In February 2012, my father, Darrell Westbrook was diagnosed with AML.  He was my best friend and meant everything to my sister and I.  The two of us took turns flying to St. Louis from Dallas and never left his side during his treatment, which included chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant.  He fought a very courageous and difficult battle.  After losing him to AML in August 2012, my sister and I found that getting involved with LLS was the best thing we could do to honor him and keep his memory alive.  I will do anything in my power to put an end to blood cancers so no one else has to lose a loved one.

How many years have you been involved with the Big D Climb?
This is my second year involved with the Big D Climb.  Last year, I heard about the Big D Climb on the radio and signed up in early January on a whim.  With the help of family and friends, we were one of the top fundraising teams!  I was amazed by how much love and support we received from everyone.  That inspired me and this year, I decided to become much more involved with the Big D Climb and its mission.

What are you most excited about for the upcoming Big D Climb?
This year we are excited about setting our goals a little higher while recruitment more members on our team.  We are extremely excited as we have already doubled our team size so far this year.  We look forward to having a great time training and coming together for such an important cause.

Why should people get registered for the Big D Climb now?
It is so important to register your team now.  By registering early, it gives your team members much more time to fundraise and recruit additional members.

Tell us your strategy for conquering a taller climb this year.
To "train" for this year's Big D Climb, I plan to chase after my two boys (Max - age 3 and Ben - age 1) as much as possible.  I plan to take them for long walks and tell them stories about their Gramps.  If I can squeeze in a few sessions on the stair climber then great, if not - I know my dad would want me to be spoiling and chasing after his grandsons.

Big D Climb Honored Hero: Chief Tittle

The 2015 Big D Climb is honored to have Chief Tim Tittle of the Lewisville Fire Department serve as its First Responders Honored Hero.  He is a leukemia survivor and is passionate about raising money and awareness to help The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to achieve its mission of creating a world without blood cancers.  Below he describes his blood cancer journey.

"WOW, where do I start?  This has been an incredible journey,  a very moving experience that has been life altering in the way that I view things today, but let me back up and start where it all began for me and what my journey of being diagnosed with Acute Leukemia has been like.

I was promoted to Chief of Department for the Lewisville Fire Department on September 1, 2011, and it has been a very rewarding position. I am the first Chief of this Department that came from within the ranks, and it is a position that I don’t take lightly. In late 2012/early 2013, I started noticing that I felt winded very easily while doing normal, everyday tasks.  Of course my first thought was that I must be getting older and out of shape, but I also couldn’t believe this was happening because I really wasn’t that old and I still led an active, healthy lifestyle.  I was working out regularly, playing league softball, and working in my yard as much as I always did. But, I was still feeling winded 

During August of 2013, we had several major multi-alarm fires in Lewisville. I went to all of those fires and tried to function as best I could.  I found it extremely taxing to just put my protective gear on and walk down the street to the scene, let alone try to perform an active function without being totally exhausted afterwards.  I woke up with bruises all over my torso just from the pinching and binding that occurs while wearing bunker gear.  The bruises were out of the ordinary for me and they wouldn’t go away in a normal time frame. We always say that the Lord has a way of taking care of those that need taking care of,  and this was the wake-up call I needed to make me realize that something was wrong with me…“Go see a doctor dummy.” I went to my Primary Physician on September 23^rd; he drew blood to help determine the cause of my symptoms, and thought I was probably anemia - a relatively easy fix.   

The “big day” for me was on September 24^th. I got a call from my nurse asking me to come right in; and, “oh by the way, can you clear your schedule for the rest of the day?”  I knew I was in for some bad news. I arrived an hour later, was quickly roomed, and I could tell by the looks on their faces that I was about to hear something that I wasn’t prepared for.  My doctor came in and started to explain my test results, and then he stopped. He just handed me the papers and said “look at this.” He couldn’t even tell me; I had to read it for myself.  After reading a bunch of blood work numbers that made no sense to me other than they were really low, I came to the last line on the second page that read “has all the markers for Acute Leukemia.”  I looked at my doctor and said, “Is this telling me what I think it’s telling me?” And I’ll never forget his response, “it sucks, but yes, that’s what it’s telling you.” 

As you can imagine my head began to spin. I was thinking “Am I going to die? I want to see my youngest son graduate from High School and see what he pursues in life.  I want to see my granddaughters grow up and get married. I love my wife too much to leave her with this mess. I love my job as Fire Chief for the City of Lewisville and I’m not ready to leave my guys. They would end up with an outside Chief, I can’t do that to them.”  While all this was going on in my head, my doctor was  telling me how lucky I was that I hadn’t gotten sick recently because my blood counts were so low that my body couldn’t have fought off any illness, and it would have killed me.  He also said “I know you need to make some phone calls, but we need to get you in the hospital, in a safe environment within the next two hours.”

Now my thoughts quickly turned to “who do I call, who do I call first, what do I tell them?”  I knew I needed to call my wife, my oldest son, my parents, my boss, but how do I tell them and how can I hold it together?  But I knew I was in for a fight--I wasn’t ready for this to be my end. I just prayed to God, “I’m putting this in your hands, and I know that if it is your will, I will come through this.” This is happening because He has a greater plan for me, and I’m to learn something from this journey and He will take care of me.

I made the calls, and two hours later I checked into the hospital, my family rallied around me, and my journey of living in the hospital for the next five and a half weeks began.  We met my oncologist and he explained that the next few days would consist of tests and medications to determine the type of my leukemia.  He gave my family marching orders about how protect me from germs to keep me from getting sick. “If you can get through the next two weeks without having a heart attack or stroke, your chances of survival will be a lot greater.”

I started oral chemotherapy and later found out that my strain of Acute Leukemia was “the one to get” with a treatment success rate of 90%.  I started an immediate round of intravenous chemo over an eight day period; one day on, one day off.  After the final day of treatment I still felt pretty good. But, two days later, I was sick as a dog and wouldn’t have wished this on my worst enemy.  My oncologist and the entire medical team took great care of me, kept me updated, and made it clear what needed to happen before I could go home.

That was definitely the longest five and a half weeks I’ve ever endured in my life. I was getting close to my mental breaking point when the day finally came that my counts were in a range that my oncologist said I could go home. Now I know what it must feel like to be released from jail and I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Getting back home was just the medicine I needed, but I still had another four weeks of outpatient chemo treatments and twice weekly visits for blood draws before I was able to go back to work for half days, be around my guys again, and just get back to some sort of normalcy.

From that point on it has been a few days missed here and there when I felt run down or weak from continued treatments.  But I have continued to get stronger and feel better, and I am now seven weeks into remission!  I have to do maintenance treatments for two more years, and hope at that time, I will be completely done with this part of my journey. I want to move on to my new journey of helping others get through the same type of experiences.

I say this because while I was in the hospital, other leukemia patients that are now in remission for several years would stop by to tell me their stories and experiences. They helped me understand that there are going to be some tough days, but it will get better and I have to stay strong, mentally positive, eat right and take care of myself, and know that I can get through this.

I want to do the same thing to help others that find themselves in my position. I also want to help LLS raise funding for more research so that those affected after me may have an easier or better treatment someday.  I still feel I am going through this journey for a reason, and I want it to be a positive one with something good coming out of it in the end."

Registration for the 2015 Big D Climb is now open.  Register today.

Happy LLS New Year!

Break out the goofy hats, streamers and noise makers - we are celebrating here in North Texas!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  

July 1st marks the start of a new fiscal year for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).  And just as the whole world does on December 31st each year, we celebrate our successes of the previous year and look forward to the upcoming year and what we hope to achieve.  Since you are crucial to our success, we wanted to look back and celebrate all that you did to help us achieve one of our most successful years yet!

Below is a break-down of how the North Texas Chapter raised more than $5.1 million in the last fiscal year.

Team In Training raised $1.5 million and celebrated 20 years of running, walking, hiking, biking and swimming in North Texas.  Overall, North Texas TNT has raised more than $52 million in the last 20 years right here in North Texas.

Light The Night and its more than 10,000 walkers and sponsors raised more than $1.2 million this year over three Walk sites in Dallas, Fort Worth and North Cities.

Students in more than 800 schools in North Texas raised more than $885,000 for the School and Youth program by collecting pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters.  More than just raising money, this program gave LLS an opportunity to educate more than 400,000 students and teachers about blood cancers.

The Saint Valentine's Day Luncheon & Fashion Show celebrated its 31st year by raising more than $455,000.  More than 700 civic and community leaders gathered to celebrate the successes of LLS and the event over the last 30 years.

Golfers celebrated 18 years of the Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament by raising $110,000 for LLS.  That brings the total raised by this event to $2.4 million since its inception.

Some 1,300 climbers raised $210,000 for the Big D Climb in its sixth year at Fountain Place.  In 2015, the Big D Climb is moving to Comerica Bank Tower in downtown Dallas.

In addition to the various North Texas campaigns, the North Texas Chapter raised an additional $765,000 through individual donors, foundations and third party events.

We have a lot to celebrate and be thankful for this year.  Most of all, we are thankful for our generous sponsors, participants, fundraisers and volunteers.  Finding cures for blood cancers is no small task and we could not do it alone.  Thank you for playing such a crucial role in our mission. 

Honored Heroes: Big D Climb

Joshua is one of the two Honored Heroes for the 2015 Big D Climb to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).  Joshua and Jude are brothers.  Below, Joshua introduces us to his brother in a blog post he originally posted in December 2012.  This touching story introduces you to both Josh and Jude.  Two incredible young men.

"This is my brother Jude, and it’s a miracle he’s here today.

My brother, Jude, was a sickly child, constantly being taken out of school for medical reasons — what we believed was asthma. Jude going to kindergarten was such a huge moment — the two of us would be at the same school, he’d actually be going to school, and I’d be able to see him there every day.

Seventh grade was the first year I tried to stay extremely optimistic for the future. I started writing in a journal I bought, making sure to include even the mundane details of the first days of school. As I was rereading it, something caught my eye — Jude had a stomachache one morning, and we were almost late to school.

It was August 19, 2010, Jude’s fourth day of kindergarten and my fourth day of seventh grade. He cried for so long that day about losing a game in his gym class. He screamed about how they cheated him and how unfair the game was, as we told him that “it was just a game” and that it wasn’t worth crying over.

His cheeks were bright red, which I thought was my mom’s lipstick. Later that night, we found out he had a 105 degree fever, and we brought him to the emergency room. I’ll never forget the flashing lights of the ambulance that whisked my only brother away from the emergency room to the large hospital, Children’s Medical Center, in downtown Dallas.

The next morning, my friend A-’s dad brought me to the hospital to see Jude. I kept my sunglasses on for the ride home, trying to hide the tears.

When I made it home, I started packing up my things to take with me back to my friend’s house. My journal was exactly where I left it. I opened it, turned it to the next blank page, and wrote three words.

“Jude has leukemia.”

September came and went, and I tried to readjust myself into my school routine. By October, I was used to not seeing my parents that much. I’d never really see them at the same time, except when I went to the hospital to visit.

I secretly loathed going to the hospital, and I found myself not wanting to see my brother. I would always feel guilty that I felt this way and I’d always end up going, but I just couldn’t help it. No matter how understanding of the situation I was, the feelings of anger and jealousy and guilt followed me. I couldn’t help but feel angry about my loneliness and jealous of all the time and attention Jude got, and I couldn’t help but pin all my problems on him.

I went through these periods of pain, sorrow, anger, frustration, and despair. Sometimes, I’d feel angry — angry at myself, angry at Jude, angry at my parents, angry at the world, and angry at God. Other times, I’d feel so depressed that I’d want to leave the classroom and find a place where no one would see me cry.

I felt forgotten — not just by my parents, but by everyone else. I felt like I couldn’t have a conversation with anyone without Jude being mentioned. I was angry that everyone asked how he was doing, but forgot about me. Didn’t anyone realize I was suffering too? Did everyone forget about me? The funny thing, though, is that the only person who I felt truly remembered me… was Jude.
One afternoon in late October, my mom picked me up early from school. I thought it was just one of the usual hospital visits, but there was something different. There was something about my mom’s tearstained eyes and solemn expression that made me question everything. My friend’s dad was there, too.

In the car, my mom started to cry again. My friend’s dad told me the news. Jude wasn’t responding to chemotherapy, and his cancer was getting worse. He needed a bone marrow transplant, and they needed to see if I was a match.

I didn’t know how to respond. It felt just like August 20, the day I found out about Jude’s diagnosis. I was afraid. The feelings of despair and hopelessness entered my heart again as my chest felt heavy and hard. The tears rolled down my cheeks again. Above all, I didn’t want to lose him.

Soon after they tested me, I found out that I was a perfect match. The hospital made arrangements for the bone marrow transplant to take place just two days before Christmas.

It was December 23, 2010. I felt scared and worried about what would happen. What if I wouldn’t wake up? What if it didn’t work? What if, despite all this, I would lose him anyway? I did my best to ignore all of my worries as I they rolled me into the operating room.

Suddenly, my priorities changed. My biggest fear was the needle they were preparing to put in my arm. I ripped off the anesthesia mask, worried that I wouldn’t be asleep by the time they put the needle in. They told me to put the mask back on, and everything faded to black.

One. Two. Three.

I woke up in the recovery room next to my mom after what felt like three seconds. The nurse pricked my thumb and gave me painkillers, and I desperately wanted to sleep again. Another nurse wheeled me up to Jude’s room, and I watched as the nurse transfused my bone marrow into his blood stream. As he fell asleep, he told me three words.

“I love you.”

Being half-Caucasian and half-Filipino, it would’ve been next to impossible for Jude to find a bone marrow donor. I have no doubt in my mind that Jude wouldn’t be with me today if I weren’t a match.

The bone marrow registry consists of mostly Caucasian donors, with other races having much fewer donors. Multiracial people seeking out a donor have the worst possible chances of finding a donor, as bone marrow matching relies heavily ethnicity. Because of the lack of diversity and overall lack of donors, very many patients, including children, aren’t able to get the bone marrow they need to survive.

Two years ago, a miracle happened. Jude is here with me today, and I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to share my story with the world. I know that there’s a reason we struggled, and I feel determined to make a difference."

Jude is now almost three and a half years in remission. He is in third grade at All Saints Catholic School and living as normal as every 9 year old boy!

Meet Team Lainey

Team Lainey is a powerhouse group for the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).  Lainey' family and friends have raised more than $10,000 for last year's Light The Night Walk, nearly $27,000 for Team In Training and more than $500 for the Big D Climb.  Their motivation - little Lainey, who is now in remission from leukemia.

This weekend Lainey's mom, Kelly, and a group of friends are running the Nike Women's Half Marathon in Washington DC with Team In Training to continue their dedicated efforts to raise funds for and awareness of blood cancers and LLS.

Kelly talks about her family's personal connection and what keeps her motivated to stay involved with LLS:

"On August 28. , 2013, two weeks before her 2"d birthday, our sweet Lainey was diagnosed with

acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at Children's Medical Center in Dallas. We really had no distinct 'warning signs" that I've heard other mothers talk about. The only "sign" we had was that for about two months, during most of July and August, Lainey just kept getting sick. Fevers and viruses that we would take her to the doctor for, there would be an explanation, cold, strep, Fifth's disease, but as a mother, I just

kept feeling like something wasn't right. In the weeks prior to her diagnosis, I mentioned to my

husband that I felt Lainey's coloring was changing, she seemed to look more pale to me, almost a little yellowish.

When she was running yet another fever, I called the pediatrician and told them I wanted every test we could run on her. Strep and flu were negative so they ran her blood.  We were sent home to await the results from the blood work and in less than two hours, we got the call that would change our lives. Our pediatrician explained that Lainey's blood work had come back and her levels were low, "alarmingly" low and she suspected leukemia. She told us we needed to drive straight to the ER at Children's Medical Center in

downtown Dallas. When we arrived at the ER, we were rushed into a room right away, her fever had spiked during the car ride to 106 degrees.

Lainey was admitted to ICU and started the first of four blood transfusions she would receive in the eight days we were at Children's. The Oncologist there confirmed our pediatrician's suspicions of leukemia and she said based on preliminary labs and examination, she believed Lainey had ALL, which was confirmed three days later on Monday after her bone marrow biopsy.

Those first several days in the hospital were quite honestly a nightmare, just focusing on getting through hour by hour and waiting to find out the name of the monster we would begin fighting that was trying to take our daughter from us. We also have a 4 year old daughter Avery, and it was a delicate balance of how to explain all of this to her and why her sister was sick. The Child Life Specialists at Children's were amazing at

helping us communicate what was happening to Avery and have continued to be a wonderful

resource for us through our weekly clinic visits to get treatments with Lainey.

The first 30 days of treatment with Lainey were difficult, the daily steroids really took a toll on

her small body, causing her to gain 8 lbs in 3 weeks due to increased appetite and came with it

lots of temporary personality changes and of course the chemo caused her hair to start falling out.

Certainly a lot for anyone to endure, let alone a two year old that you couldn't explain anything

to. But all of this was done with the goal of getting Lainey to be in remission by her Day 29

biopsy. Lainey's critical biopsy results came on my 39ft birthday, September 30,2013. Lainey

was in remission! Praise God! In a short 6 weeks we've learned lots of new medical terms, met

lots of new friends and have had an amazing out pouring of support from friends, family and our

local community. We know God has a plan for Lainey and for us and sharing our story is part of it."

If you would like to make a donation to Kelly's Team In Training fundraising efforts in honor of Lainey, visit her personal fundraising page.

Happy Valentine's Day from North Texas!

Valentine's Day is a day that honors those you love.  In North Texas, we love our Honored Heroes and the inspiration they provide to thousands of local participants.  Each of our Honored Heroes has shown incredible courage and grace in fighting a blood cancer and for that we honor them every day.  Today we send them a little extra love.

Lainey T.

2014 Big D Climb Honored Hero

Allie C.

2014 Team In Training Honored Hero

Cutler F.

2014 Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament

Honored Hero

National Volunteer Week: Big D Climb

Here's to all volunteers, those dedicated people who believe in all work and no pay. 

~Robert Orben

Kim Carter, center, with two trainers from 24 Hour Fitness
at the 2013 Big D Climb

This week is National Volunteer Week and while The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is thankful for its volunteers year round, we are taking this opportunity to highlight seven outstanding volunteers that help make the North Texas chapter run so efficiently.

Kim Carter, the Regional Manager of Corporate Sales for Texas for 24 Hour Fitness, first became involved with the Big D Climb shortly after she became a club manager at the Downtown Dallas 24 Hour Fitness location.  24 Hour Fitness had become a sponsor with the event a year earlier but it is Kim who is credited with expanding the sponsorship and getting 24 Hour Fitness more involved with the Big D Climb and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

Kim's connection to LLS and its mission is very personal.  Her mother, Johanna Carter, was diagnosed with MDS in her early 60s and it quickly turned into leukemia.  Johanna's age at the time of diagnosis kept her from being eligible to receive a bone marrow transplant and after three weeks of chemotherapy, she lost her battle.  During her treatment in Annapolis, Kim flew in every week and stayed at the Hope House when not with her mother in the hospital.  It was during those trips that Kim pledged to get move involved in the effort to find a cure for blood cancers.

Several years after first getting 24 Hour Fitness involved with the Big D Climb, Kim continues to ask "what more can we do?"  She has expanded the involvement of 24 Hour Fitness as a sponsor, created teams of trainers and members to participate, and is now working to expand 24 Hour Fitness' involvement with LLS' stair climbing events to other cities.

We are so thankful for Kim!

Freebie Friday: Meet Stacey Russell

Deputy Executive Director Stacey Russell
with Executive Director Patricia Thomson.

Just yesterday at the Saint Valentine’s Day Luncheon and Fashion Show, I was again amazed by the number of people that are touched by blood cancers. The event honored a young boy who generously and without question, donated his bone marrow to his younger brother, now a survivor of leukemia. A committee member spoke about her battle with lymphoma; another was there in honor of her brother who is battling leukemia as we speak. It is stories like those that I hear at the various events and programs that The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) hosts each year to help raise funds and awareness that keeps me motivated to do what I get the privilege of doing every day.

I was lucky enough ten years ago to stumble upon a job opening at LLS and it has definitely changed my life, for the better. Some things have changed ten years later, like the amazing advancements that have been made in treatments, some of the events that take place and some of the people that are no longer here as they lost their battle. Some things have stayed the same… like the generosity of people. Each day, there is a scientist hard at work trying to find the link to a cure due to the generosity of people in the community giving of their time, donating to someone doing a marathon through Team in Training or climbing stairs at the Big D Climb, becoming a corporate sponsor for the Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament or coming to the Lone Star Blood Cancer Conference as a caregiver wanting to learn more about how they can help their loved one through their cancer journey.

We all have days where we think what else could go wrong? Its raining and I have a flat tire or whatever the case may be. It seems disastrous then, but in the grand scheme of things, I am healthy, my husband, my kids, my family and friends are healthy, and that is what is important. However, there are so many people here in North Texas, across the US and the world that are not as fortunate. Instead, they are fighting for their lives or their loved one is. This is why getting involved with LLS in whatever way you can is so important, especially now. We are in the business of saving lives, literally, and invite you to be a part of that too. Someday Is Today!

Wordless Wednesday: Big D Climb

Freebie Friday: Meet Ashley Desper



Until two months ago, I was one of those fortunate people in the world with no personal connection to cancer. You read the heartbreaking stories and see the horrifying effects it has on others and their families, but it’s hard to comprehend until it’s staring you in the face.

I was working late on a Thursday evening and my mom had text me that she needed to speak with me. The day before I had called her and my dad to tell them some exciting news, but she had seemed unusually down even though I knew she was happy for me. I repeatedly asked her what was wrong. She insisted everything was fine. I called her immediately, as I was having a bad evening at work and needed to vent a little bit. Even though she gave me her usual perfect words of encouragement, I could tell something was wrong. A few moments later, she told me was diagnosed with breast cancer. There’s nothing in life that can ever prepare you for that moment. Suddenly, nothing else mattered….work, stress, social life. It all seems so insignificant when someone that close to you tells you they have cancer. My father, being a physician, got on the phone and insisted she was going to be fine. I trusted my dad, and I knew he would make sure she was ok. She is our family rock.

I remember driving home and being an emotional wreck. I left everything on my desk with a strict deadline and just walked away. At that moment, it just didn’t matter. I booked my flight home the next day. My mom was having surgery that Wednesday which would determine if/where the cancer had spread. That was 5 days away, and she needed me. I’ve never seen her so excited to see me when she picked me up from the airport! It was a long few days leading up to that Wednesday morning. The family was there in the waiting room. Although it was a short procedure, it felt like the longest hour of my life. The doctor came out and told us all the cancerous cells had been removed and that the cancer had not spread to her lymph nodes. They caught it very early, and her prognosis couldn’t be better. It was the most unbelievable moment of my life.

My mom is half way through her radiation treatments now and has to take a pill every day. In the world of cancer, this is a blessing. She is doing so well, and I could not be more thankful for how lucky and blessed we are. It puts life into perspective and makes you appreciate every moment of quality time you have with your loved ones.

Ironically, the day before my mom announced her diagnosis, that exciting news I called to tell her about was that I was offered the position as Campaign Manager for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Joining this organization came at such a critical moment in my life, and I knew it happened for a reason. It means so much to me to work for such as amazing cause that will find a cure for blood cancers. I want to be a part of that and help others so that they never have to hear those tragic words from a loved one again. I truly do believe that someday could be today!

Ashley is the lead contact for both the Big D Climb (www.bigdclimb.org) and the Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament (www.linksforeleukemiadallas.org)

Training Tip Tuesday: Christmas Edition

Training Tip Tuesday posts typically include information about how to get in shape in the most safe and effective way.  However, we are realistic and don't anticipate many people to be lacing up their tennis shoes today so we are proud to introduce the inaugural Christmas Edition of Training Tip Tuesday.

1.  Hydrate
Fruitcakes by nature are packed with sodium.  If you imbibed last night or are planning to eat a slice this morning, make sure that you are hydrating.  Today is a marathon - not a sprint.  You can't fall victim to dehydration before lunch.

2. Clothes That Breath
You can bet your bottom dollar that grandma will regale you with a story from her childhood every time you open a new gift.  Wear comfortable clothes so you can relax around the tree as the stories are told... and told... and told.

3.  Breathe Through Your Nose, Exhale Through Your Mouth
There will be a lot of chaos Christmas morning (especially if you have young children) so be sure to stop and breathe through your nose every once in a while.  How else are you going to fully enjoy the evergreen smell of the tree, the breakfast casserole, the peppermint patties, and whatever else you have wafting through your house Christmas morning.

4.  Stretch
Be a boyscout and always be prepared.  Stretch!  You never know when you are going to open a present to find an item you have been coveting for the last seven months.  You don't want to be jumping around with a cold hammy.  Team In Training registration and Big D Climb are right around the corner.  Don't find yourself on the injured reserve list.

5.  Be Thankful
Because you know that we, here at the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank our lucky stars every day to be involved with such amazing people.  You inspire us every day.

Happy Holidays!

Thankful Thursday: Happy Thanksgiving!

Training Tip Tuesday: The Big D Climb

The 5th Annual Big D Climb presented by Ivie & Associates is scheduled for Saturday, January 26, 2013.  Have you heard of it?  It's a race up 52 flights of stairs (1,040 steps!) at Fountain Place in downtown Dallas.  Yes, it sounds imposing.  Yes, it is a long race.  Yes, you CAN do it!  (Seriously, stop shaking your head.)

24 Hour Fitness is a longtime sponsor of the Big D Climb and always offers all climbers a pass to any of their locations and training recommendations created by their trainers.  For the 2013 Big D Climb they are stepping up their game.  (Yes, pun intended.)  In addition to the pass and the training recommendations, they are providing all climbers with weekly work-outs.  Interest peaked?  We thought so.  Visit the Big D Climb Facebook page to see this week's work out. 

Look, your muscles are getting bigger already!