My Story

In early September 2023, I was playing soccer—one of my greatest passions—when I suffered a severe injury that left me unable to walk. As I headed to the emergency room, my biggest concern was whether I’d be able to play sports again. Little did I know, this was only the beginning of the most challenging year of my life. What started as a routine recovery from Achilles tendon surgery quickly turned into something far more serious. Friends and family began commenting on how pale I looked—something I brushed off at the time. I was too distracted by the excitement of finding out my wife was pregnant with our first baby. But soon after, I noticed unusual bruising on my back. When simple tasks left me feeling weak and exhausted, we knew something wasn’t right. Routine bloodwork was the next step. On November 7, 2023, what was supposed to be a day of celebration—finding out the gender of our baby and celebrating my in-laws’ birthday—turned into a nightmare. My blood test results came back with urgent warnings, and we were told to rush to the ER immediately. What we thought would be a quick visit turned into a grueling 10-hour ordeal of blood transfusions and endless waiting.

Then, at 8:40 AM on November 8, a doctor walked in and changed my life forever. He never said the word “cancer.” Instead, he looked at us and said, “We’re in a lot of trouble.” In that moment, we just knew. Moments later, he confirmed that I had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. He reassured us that I would most likely be “okay” but warned that the road ahead would be long and difficult. At just 28 years old, I was facing a battle I never saw coming. I had cancer. The news was devastating, but I had no choice but to focus on one thing: healing. In less than eight months, I would become a father. Two days later, on November 10, I began my first cycle of chemotherapy, spending over 25 days in the hospital. The months that followed were unimaginably difficult. My life was put on hold. Simple, everyday activities became dangerous—smelling flowers, walking on the beach, getting coffee in a crowded café, even hugging my loved ones posed a risk. Because of my weakened immune system, I couldn’t hold my wife’s hand or even be near her at times to protect her and our unborn baby from any exposure. I missed out on countless moments—many ultrasounds, time with family, and some of my closest friends’ biggest life events. By a blessing, I went into remission after just two cycles of induction chemotherapy and eight painful intrathecal treatments. My treatment continued with four cycles of HyperCVAD, which ended in February 2024.

Next came immunotherapy, a four-month journey that required me to carry a small infusion bag with me 24/7. Then, in the midst of it all, a beautiful milestone—our daughter, Hanna, was born on May 17, 2024, on my wife’s birthday, just one day before my next treatment. That moment made every sacrifice, every struggle, and every painful day worth it. I was a father to a beautiful, healthy baby girl. By late August, I completed immunotherapy, and nearly a year after my diagnosis, I transitioned to maintenance treatment—daily chemotherapy pills and monthly infusions. Though still challenging, I’m growing stronger and healthier with each passing day, thanks to the incredible advancements in treatment. Leukemia changed everything about my life. But through it all, I was given something precious: a second chance. Every experience became a “first” again after cancer. The first time I was healthy enough to go to a restaurant—something I once took for granted—was an emotional night. I cherish the little moments so much more now: having dinner with family, going to the movies, hugging my friends, and even just sleeping in the same bed as my wife. No words can fully capture what my family and I endured. Anyone who has battled cancer knows the feeling of numbness, of just trying to survive each day until you can ring that bell. People saw us staying positive, but behind closed doors, the emotions were overwhelming. It’s something I never want to feel again.

Now, I’m ready to turn this experience into something bigger than myself. I’ve decided to run as a Candidate for LLS’ Visionary of the Year in 2025. At first, I wasn’t sure if this was too far out of my comfort zone. I don’t like attention, and I can be shy at times. But I realize I am too incredibly blessed to just move on and continue my life without giving back. Some of the very treatments that saved my life were funded by LLS. The night before my first chemotherapy cycle, my wife and I made a promise: if I survived this disease, we had to find a way to give back. This is that moment. I’m beyond excited to take on this journey and make a difference in the cancer community. Together, we can raise awareness, fund life-saving treatments, and bring hope to those fighting this battle. Thank you for supporting this mission—it means everything to me, my family, and the countless others still fighting for their second chance. Join Me in the Fight Against Leukemia.

How you can help:

DONATE- Every dollar does directly to blood cancer research and patient support.

SPREAD THE WORD- Share this page with friends and family. Awareness saves lives.

JOIN THE CAUSE- Attend fundraising events, become a sponsor, or contribue in any way you can.