We at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) were excited to learn of our former Youth Ambassador’s next big opportunity – to star in Fame, an MTV pilot set to release on September 25, 2009.

Paul Iacono is Neil, an ambitious filmmaker looking to make it big but runs into a few challenges along the way. Paul can relate with his character’s frustrations, not only in the world of performance, but more privately as someone who has dealt with the roller coaster ride of cancer diagnosis.

At seven-years-old Paul was diagnosed with leukemia, and faced two years of chemotherapy. He says that it was a difficult time, but his continued public performances helped him to feel positive about his situation and he eventually went into remission. He recognizes that there was a possibility that he could have just become another statistic, which is why he has devoted so much of his time supporting the work of LLS.

In a recent interview it’s clear that he’s optimistic for future pediatric leukemia patients – “My theory is that eventually the survival rate will be 100% and no kid will have to go through what I had to go through.”

We wish Paul well in this new endeavor. To read the rest of his interview about Fame visit Just Jared Jr.

Learn more about childhood blood cancers by visiting www.LLS.org. If your child has cancer join the conversation with other parents dealing with diagnosis, treatment and survivorship related issues.