Katie Graham, 22

At the age of 15, I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, and like many patients, the hospital quickly became a second home to me. I endured nearly three years of treatments, all of which fell into the time in my life when I was expected to explore, experiment and find myself – my teenage years. Read more.

Kate Degrace, 21

On August 16, 2001, at the age of fourteen, I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. From the moment we are diagnosed with cancer, we are victims – we must all choose to become survivors. With 737 needles, 663 chemotherapy treatments, 38 bone marrow aspirations/lumbar punctures and 84 blood transfusions under my belt, I have concluded that I am definitely a survivor. Read more.

Erin Bodyk, 19

In July of 2004, I was diagnosed with stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Having just turned 16, and wondering if my dream of a university athletics scholarship would come true, I was instead faced with the fight of my life. I spent weeks at a time in hospital, and underwent treatment that included chemotherapy and radiation. In terms of everyday life, I learned that a ‘bad hair-day’ is nothing compared to a ‘no hair-day’. Read more.

David Perecko, 18

February 23, 1998 was a day that changed my life forever. That was the day I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. I was 8 years old, and of course, I did not realize what the diagnosis meant or just how it would effect the following years of my life. Read more.

Sheldon Chow, 26

As my first year of graduate school began, things seemed to be working out exactly as I planned – I had everything that I ever wanted. I did however have one minor problem – a nagging cough. I finally had it checked out, and later that day, the physician called to let me know that I had Lymphoma. Read more.