Leukemia had a second major impact on my life shortly after I entered the world as an adult.  I was a year or 2 out of college working at my first big job and just married.  Life was good and things were going well for me.  Little did I know that as we approached the holiday season my world would be rocked.

I didn't realize it, but my dad hadn't been feeling very well for a few weeks.  He finally gave in and went to the doctor to see what was going on.  Within 24 hours he was in the hospital, diagnosed with Leukemia and literally fighting for his life.  He had Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), it was advanced and he had developed other infections which were making him septic. They said he probably would not make it 3 weeks.  His odds of survival were less than 10%.

For those that don't know,  AML  is called the "Silent Killer" because you rarely get symptoms before you are in the end stage.  People with AML usually die within 4-6 months and have no symptoms until the last few weeks.   Like my father's case, by the time a person goes to the doctor, the cancer isn't the only problem.  There are infections and other issues that have to be treated at the same time as the cancer treatment.

My dad made it through those first 3 weeks.  He was essentially in and out of consciousness for the next 4 weeks while the doctors worked diligently to treat all the secondary infections while infusing him with several different kinds of chemo.  His battle with cancer had begun.  My dad would end up going through countless rounds of chemo and would go into remission multiple times while we waited for a donor to be found.

When my dad was diagnosed, he was in his early 50s.  The only full cure was a bone marrow transplant (BMT).  Unfortunately, at his age, the risks were much greater.  Normally for a BMT, the doctors dose you with enough chemo ​ and full body radiation treatments ​to kill your bone marrow.  You get your transplant and if it takes you are good. If it doesn't take, you are stuck without an immune system while the doctors regroup.

My dad’s transplant was a little different. They were researching and experimenting with brand new protocols.  One of these new protocols was for patients over 50. It was to give just enough chemo and radiation to essentially weaken the patient’s bone marrow.  The new healthy marrow was then introduced and it should take over in place of the old marrow.  This would give the patient a "fall-back" in case the BMT doesn't take. Fourteen years ago, Dad was the second person to undergo this new protocol treatment. 

The transplant worked and Dad survived.  Who knows what would have happened without the experimental protocol.  This protocol is just one example of changes that are funded by LLS donations.  These advances are the reason why we can make a difference to the lives of people.  Thanks to these treatments, I've had another 15 years with my dad. He's had the opportunity to see my daughters.  My daughters have gotten to know a wonderful man and had great life experiences that would have been completely missed.

This is your chance to help others.  Every donation has the power to change a life.