In the spring of 2022, after a lot of pleading from my then-girlfriend (now-fiancee) Alysa and eventually my parents, I went to my doctor to have a concerning lump on the left side of my neck examined. I was quickly sent to the emergency room, and after a long, long night of waiting, I was preliminarily diagnosed with cancer, and after a couple weeks of appointments and testing, I found out that I had Stage 3 Hodgkin's lymphoma.

At the start, it was a very scary and stressful experience — for whatever reason, I'd been horrified throughout my life by the thought that I might eventually have cancer — but it quickly turned into something positive. I received outstanding care from all the doctors I saw and all the nurses and staff at the Mercy Adolescent & Young Adult infusion clinic. My chemo days quickly became something that I looked forward to because the sense of community was so great with all the people who helped me out. While it was a long, grueling process — I went through six cycles of chemo over six months — it was an unforgettable, life-changing experience and taught me to live every day to the fullest. I finished treatment in October 2022, and while I continue to undergo routine check-ups, I have been free of active cancer for two-plus years.

I want to make sure that everyone else who ends up in a similar situation to me is able to access the same resources and receive the same great treatment that I received, so that's why I'm participating in this year's Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Visionaries of the Year fundraiser. I hope you'll be able to donate and help achieve a world without cancer!

As a global leader in the fight against blood cancer, LLS:

• Funds cutting-edge research leading to breakthroughs in immunotherapy, genomics, and personalized medicine that are improving and saving the lives of patients.
• Provides free education and support for blood cancer patients and families, including personalized, one-on-one support, assistance with identifying and enrolling in clinical trials, and more.
• Mobilizes thousands of advocates to drive policy changes that accelerate the development of new cancer treatments and break down barriers to care. 

Please consider supporting this organization by making a contribution to my campaign, and by sharing the link to my page with your network. All donations are greatly appreciated and tax-deductible. For more information on LLS, please visit www.LLS.org 

On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere, thank you for your support.