Hi,
My name is Jenna Benn, I am 29 years old, and I am a survivor of Grey Zone Lymphoma. Grey Zone Lymphoma is a disease that affects less than 500 people worldwide. While we may be few in number, we are determined, committed and passionate about finding a cure.
After 6 months of flu like symptoms, weight-loss and nerve pain, I was officially diagnosed with Cancer on December 20, 2010.
I will never forget the out of body experience that ensued when I heard those three words.
With just three words, my hopes and dreams were abruptly taken from me, and my life was put on hold.
I had no idea how to navigate and exist in this new chaotic, terrifying, and uncertain Cancerous world.
How did I get here?
Up until this point I was a healthy. I worked out regularly, watched what I ate, and made sure to keep regular doctors appointments. In December, my team of doctors at Northwestern University Hospital found 3 large tumors resting on my heart, lungs and in my neck.
My life after diagnosis moved at lightning speed. I underwent fertility treatments, multiple surgeries, scans, and then started a very aggressive chemotherapy regimen called R-Epoch. My regimen required 6 rounds of 5- day in patient hospitalization, where I received 120 hours of continuous chemotherapy.
I stand here before you today, 6 months later, with no sign of disease.
Throughout my journey, I realized I needed to figure out creative ways to hold on to my spirit. Cancer may have come uninvited, but I had a choice about which parts of me I was willing to sacrifice. She may have ravaged my body, but I refused to let her take my mind, heart, and soul.
I chose to beat Cancer through writing.
I chose to beat Cancer through singing at the top of my lungs.
I chose to beat Cancer through dancing alone in my room.
I chose to beat Cancer by running.
I was never a runner before Cancer. I actually hated running. After my diagnosis I found running to be therapeutic because it allowed me to process my feelings and reconnect with a body that I no longer understood.
Throughout my treatment, I have been running 6 miles a session-one mile for every round of chemotherapy.
On September 11, 2011, 4 months after the completion of my treatments, I will be running in the 15th Annual Chicago ½ marathon with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).
LLS is an organization that raises millions of dollars a year to fight blood Cancers. I have a special connection to LLS as it was responsible for discovering the drug Rituxin which has saved my life. I will be forever grateful to LLS for their work in raising awareness and finding a cure for Blood Cancer.
I ask that you join me in Killing Cancer in the Butt one mile at a time.
I am running this race for the Cancer Crushing Warriors that are fighting and desperately waiting for a cure.
I am running this race for your family and friends that have been cruelly touched by this disease.
And I am running this race for you- my army of supporters, cheerleaders, and dancers who have lifted me up and provided me with tremendous ammunition throughout my fight.
I encourage you to give generously.
With affection and admiration,
Jenna
To Learn more about my story please visit my blog
A special thank you to all those that attended Yoga for a Cure hosted by brillant instructor Becky Strauss. To all participants and supporters that chose to breath deep, move slowly, and focus on this moment- I thank you.
Don't miss our next Twist Out Cancer event on August 11, 2011 at the Hideout Chicago. Starting at 8pm artists Jesse Palter and the Alter Ego, Laser Love and the Heated Heat, Deanna Neil on the Ukelele and DJ David Pelerin will be gracing the stage to help show us what twisting out Cancer really looks like.
Jonny Imerman, Founder of Imerman's Angels will be speaking at the event.
Anthony Ponce from NBC5 will be the event's emcee.
Come join me on the dance floor.
Twist because you can, because you should, because you must.
Tickets are $25.00 in advance, $36,00 at the door.
Tp purhcase tickets online go to http://www.hideoutchicago.com/event/41343/
This Winter I am pleased to announce that I am the Illinois Chapter's Honored Hero! For those of you that are interested in participating in an event with TNT - now is the time to get involved!
Jenna Benn | $3,885.00 |
Sylvia Neil and Dan ... | $1,000.00 |
Kellner Family | $1,000.00 |
Sandy and Hayden Den... | $500.00 |
Baby Eli | $500.00 |
Amir Motamedi | $400.00 |
Marvin Benn | $300.00 |
Andrea, Edwin & ... | $300.00 |
Theodore Eisenberg | $250.00 |
Linda and Mitch Sara... | $250.00 |
Stephen and Wendi Pa... | $250.00 |
Steve Juhasz & B... | $250.00 |
Jeff Gordon | $250.00 |
Theodore Eisenberg | $250.00 |
Jenna Benn | $250.00 |
Marjorie Skolnik | $200.00 |
beth fisher | $200.00 |
Patricia Smith | $180.00 |
Shoshanna Weinberg | $150.00 |
Little Eli | $148.00 |
Perry Gdalevitch | $118.00 |
Anonymous | $108.00 |
Mollie Isaacson | $100.18 |
Ann Clark Kirkpatric... | $100.00 |
Jenna Benn | $100.00 |
Richard Strauss | $100.00 |
Karla Dunston | $100.00 |
Jenna Benn | $100.00 |
Jenny and Chaim Indi... | $100.00 |
Annie Kellner | $100.00 |
laura cooper | $100.00 |
Ari Kushner | $100.00 |
Shevrin Family | $100.00 |
David Victorson | $100.00 |
Simone Burrows | $100.00 |
Sarah Palestrant | $100.00 |
Samantha Margolis | $100.00 |
Barry Le Vine | $100.00 |
Penny Retsos | $100.00 |
Monnye Gross & K... | $100.00 |
Linda and Jack Golde... | $100.00 |
Lonnie Nasatir | $100.00 |
Jessica Sharafi | $100.00 |
Rachel Seymour | $100.00 |
Marianna Couvaras | $100.00 |
Lauren and Brian Bee... | $100.00 |
Linda Stern | $100.00 |
Bonnie Rochman | $100.00 |
Julie & Matt Epl... | $100.00 |
Suzanne Courtheoux | $100.00 |
Vicki Newman | $100.00 |
Samantha Jackson | $100.00 |
Ethan Zohn | $100.00 |
Joelle Maslaton | $100.00 |
Larry Serota | $100.00 |
Andrew Schultz | $80.00 |
Hanne & Ian Nata... | $77.00 |
Kasey Passen | $75.00 |
Alana and Steven Gre... | $72.00 |
Liz Foreman | $72.00 |
Susan Berman | $72.00 |
Kasey Passen | $72.00 |
Stephanie Finkelstei... | $72.00 |
Leslie Fields | $54.00 |
David Kurzmann &... | $54.00 |
Alex Kemeny | $54.00 |
sally silvers | $54.00 |
Eytan Bayme | $50.18 |
Mark Bartosic | $50.00 |
Tammy Berman | $50.00 |
Amy Tardiff Sam Pakr... | $50.00 |
Lauren Miller | $50.00 |
Laura Sonego | $50.00 |
Roslyn Turner | $50.00 |
Laura Stern-Levin | $50.00 |
jamie feinzimer | $50.00 |
Noreen Karadsheh | $50.00 |
David Arama | $50.00 |
Carina Bachofen | $50.00 |
Doug Adolph | $50.00 |
Inti Velez | $50.00 |
Adam and Jill Lerner... | $50.00 |
john lapolla | $50.00 |
Morgan Williams | $50.00 |
Kristina Kilmer | $50.00 |
Mark Juster & El... | $50.00 |
Dr. William Finkelst... | $50.00 |
Elizabeth Hill | $50.00 |
Molly and Andrew Pat... | $50.00 |
Kristin | $50.00 |
Kathleen Naureckas | $50.00 |
elaine carberry | $50.00 |
Michael Mahoney | $50.00 |
Alexandra Wang | $50.00 |
Becky Obeler and Sco... | $50.00 |
Stephanie and Lee Ri... | $50.00 |
Jennifer H Katz | $50.00 |
Iris Marreck | $50.00 |
Marc Smoler | $50.00 |
Courtney Smolen | $50.00 |
Ari Sorek | $50.00 |
Elizabeth Warshaw | $50.00 |
Peter Kimball | $40.00 |
Melvin Shapiro | $36.00 |
Lynn and Adam Grossm... | $36.00 |
Melissa Krisztal | $36.00 |
Robyn Traub | $36.00 |
Alizah Salario | $36.00 |
Anonymous | $36.00 |
Nicole Frehsee | $36.00 |
charles gross | $36.00 |
Bernard, Danny, &... | $36.00 |
Lauren Ackerman &... | $36.00 |
Joshua and Lauren Ta... | $36.00 |
Emily Eisenberg and ... | $36.00 |
Yael Brunwasser | $36.00 |
Sarah Paseltiner | $35.00 |
Danny Valenzuela | $25.00 |
Jenna Benn | $25.00 |
Ruth Sang | $25.00 |
Marleen van Gulick | $25.00 |
JOSHUA WOLKIN | $25.00 |
Liat Hilelson | $25.00 |
Stacy Rudd | $25.00 |
Marjorie Fox | $25.00 |
Victoria Lowerson | $25.00 |
Lisa Roth | $25.00 |
Ayelet Israeli | $25.00 |
Avigail Sagy | $25.00 |
Andrea Iwaniuk | $25.00 |
Martha Whipple | $25.00 |
Jaclyn Eisenberg | $25.00 |
Andre Ohnona | $25.00 |
David Stonehill | $25.00 |
Taryn Brickman | $25.00 |
Annette Ruzicka | $25.00 |
Joanna Myszka | $25.00 |
Beth Katznelson | $25.00 |
Michael Engels | $25.00 |
David Segal | $25.00 |
liza behles | $25.00 |
Jennifer Rosario | $25.00 |
Jenny Johnson | $25.00 |
Rachael Thompson | $25.00 |
Mary Muszynski | $25.00 |
Brett Dobbs | $25.00 |
Becca Wallach | $25.00 |
Michael Rosskamm | $25.00 |
Leslie Finkel | $25.00 |
dario donnini | $25.00 |
Austin Hartley-Leon... | $25.00 |
Kristin Cole | $25.00 |
Eytan Bensoussan | $25.00 |
Betsy Rubinstein | $25.00 |
Jessica Vogel | $25.00 |
Julie Mizock Seltzer... | $25.00 |
Ilana Chriqui | $25.00 |
Claire Shoolin | $25.00 |
Sabrina Bercovitch | $25.00 |
Bill and Lindsay Gr... | $25.00 |
Alexandra Kakon | $25.00 |
Jenna Benn | $20.00 |
Michelle Kallick | $20.00 |
Paul E Hoelschen III... | $18.00 |
lisa nussbaum | $18.00 |
Kimberly Fischer | $18.00 |
Melissa Wener | $18.00 |
kerri herman | $18.00 |
Yossi Lanton | $18.00 |
Adam Brelow | $18.00 |
Joel Singerman | $18.00 |
Paul E Hoelschen III... | $15.00 |
tamar kugler | $15.00 |
Paul E Hoelschen III... | $12.00 |
Paul E Hoelschen III... | $12.00 |
Paul E Hoelschen III... | $10.00 |
Paul E Hoelschen III... | $10.00 |
Kate Bush | $10.00 |
Adam and Suzanne Zim... | |
Rachel Goldenberg | |
Holly & Michael ... | |
Richard and Marsha | |
Howard and Sarah Abr... | |
Fred Sztabinski | |
Jess Seidman | |
Lindsay Freud | |
Candace & Perry ... | |
Jennifer Bowker | |
David Herrmann | |
Sivan and Mark Schon... | |
Shelley Merz | |
Pam Berkowitz |
Do you have technical issues or questions about our website?
For assistance, contact us by email, or call us at 888-LLS-7177
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all monetary donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by tax laws. Please check with your financial advisor if you have more questions.