About Me
I am a survivor of childhood leukemia and a volunteer intern at DetecTogether.
How This Started
At age 5, I was showing symptoms including fatigue, rashes, and bruising easily.
What I Noticed
I was fortunate that my parents started detecting these symptoms at a young age, since I was too young to advocate for myself.
My Decisions Along the Way
During my battle, I was in the hospital for a little over a year.
Why It Was Easy to Wait
As a 5-year-old, I had no way to recognize or act on my own symptoms — it depended entirely on the adults around me noticing that something was wrong.
The Moment Things Changed
My parents recognizing the combination of fatigue, rashes, and easy bruising as something more than ordinary childhood symptoms is what led to my early diagnosis.
What Happened Next
Because of my parents, I caught cancer early enough that I can now call myself a survivor.
What Would Have Helped Sooner
Nothing would have caught this sooner than my parents’ attentiveness already did.
What I Learned and What I Want Others to Know
My family gave back to the hospital where I was treated by creating Lily’s Pad, a waiting room for children to play games and have a safe space before treatment or appointments. This contribution was the light at the end of the tunnel for me. My early detection experience drew me to pursue the opportunity at DetecTogether. Early detection saves lives and has had a profound effect on not just me, but many.
Changes I Noticed
Bruising, Fatigue.
