by Ella Behnke
I was a happy twin sister, doing what 2 years olds do when one day my life, and my family’s life, was turned upside down. I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoblastic lymphoma. The doctors told my parents that I had a tumor mass so large it caused significant displacement of my heart and extended around my right pulmonary vein. I was close to going into cardiac arrest.
While I don’t remember my parents fear, I do remember a life filled with hospital stays, lots of needles, tubes, drugs and pain. I am not sure why I was picked to have cancer, but I do know that I am so happy to be here. I am ten years in remission due to my amazing doctors and advanced treatments.
One thing that cancer has taught me is that it is okay to ask for help. And it feels really good to be able to help others. Please join me to help end blood cancers. I am on a mission to win student of the year for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Student Series by raising funds for blood cancer research.
I have set my goal to raise $500,000 to send a message that no other family should ever have to go through what me and my family did.
Cancer taught me that I am resilient, courageous, worthy, and strong. I want to help find a cure, I believe I can make a change, I believe I will make a change.
So please join my crusade, "Open Your Heart with Ella." All donations are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible. They'll not only support LLS research but patient services, advocacy, public and professional education, and community services as well.
Thank you for all your love and support.
Ella
©2017 by Rowan Consulting Associates, Inc., Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. This article originally appeared on the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society web site. Reprinted by permission in Tim Rowan's Home Care Technology Report. homecaretechreport.com Further reproduction is welcome only. editor@homecaretechreport.com