Jennifer Donnelly is the mother of Matthew, an acute lymphocytic leukemia patient who's story is featured in the Gap Give & Get Campaign.  Gap Give & Get gives you a 30% off coupon to shop at all Gap, Inc. store, with 5% of the proceeds going to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Jennifer shared her story with LLS:

How did you find out that Matthew had leukemia?

Matthew was diagnosed on December 11th, 2007, when he was two and a half years old. He hadn't been feeling well and our regular doctor thought he had a double ear infection. In fact he did have a double ear infection, but thankfully our doctor also had blood work done on Matthew, which ultimately determined that he had acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).  It was devastating at the time, but in hindsight we were glad he was diagnosed early on.

Before Matthew's diagnosis, had you ever heard of leukemia?

To be honest, no -- but I learned very quickly.  I also found a huge support group of people out there who are willing to help.

How has LLS been helpful to you and Matthew?

We participate in LLS's finanicial aid program and have also participated in The Light The Night Walk twice.  Matthew was also recently named the 'Boy of the Year' for the local LLS chapter here on Long Island.

Your son has an amazing smile.  He looks like he has a very positive outlook.

He does!  When he was first diagnosed, going to see the doctors so often was difficult and I would try a number of things to make it a positive experience - like dressing up in costumes. Well now, Matthew actually looks forward to going! Once when we were on vacation in Disneyland, he surprised me with "Lets go to the clinic, Mom!"   There we were, in the "happiest place on earth" and he wants to go to the clinic!

How is Matthew doing now?

Matthew's doing very well. He's in the second year of his treatment, which will continue through 2011.  We are participating in a trial.

A clinical trial?

Yes, again, before Matthew had been diagnosed, I didn't realize how important clinical trials could be to treatment options.  I found out as much as I could in advance, especially about the protocol that was suggested for Matthew.  Now, I think of all of the people who participated in trials before us and I'm grateful.  If they hadn't, I wonder where we'd be now.  Thanks to previous trials and the people who participated in them, treatments have improved.

Have you participated in any previous Give & Get campaign?

We participated in both the spring and summer campaigns.  A coupon was forwarded to me via email.  The 30% discount is terrific and knowing 5% of the sale goes back to LLS - even better!

Now, when I know of a business, like Gap, that gives back to LLS -- I think, "They're doing this for research, they're doing this for cures, and they're doing this for my son."  It makes me want to cry because I know the true benefit of this kind of support.

Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing your story with us and allowing us to feature Matthew in this campaign.

The Bigelow family knows the importance of Gap's Give & Get program benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society because, 4 years ago, their son Lance, was diagnosed with leukemia. Lance, pictured here in a shirt he got from Gap during the spring campaign, is living proof. By participating in the spring campaign, the Bigelows took advantage of a 30% discount (available at all Gap, Inc. stores) and ensured 5% of the proceeds would support LLS' fight against blood cancers, the leading cancer diagnosis among children.

We wanted to find our more about Lance and his story after his mother sent in his pictures -  including whether they were going to participate in the summer campaign (running July 30th-August 2nd, click here to download the coupon and find out more). Here's more from that conversation:

When was Lance diagnosed with leukemia and how is he doing now?

I will never forget the day Lance was diagnosed. He was 29 mos old and had been running a fever for three weeks. Make the long story short, on Monday, October 3, 2005 he was diagnosed and by Friday, October, 7, 2009...he began chemo. After the first round, Lance responded well. He remained in the hospital until May 2006. He was able to return home for 2-3 days but for the main part he was hospitalized. He was diagnosed with AML and it had spread to is central nervous system. Lance has been in remission since Nov. 2005 (and counting). My little prince will be entering first grade this fall and is tackling reading with gusto!!!

Battling cancer is as a child is particularly challenging. Were you able to take advantage of any of  our resources - print materials, the call center, local support groups?

The print material from LLS was more than helpful. We also received gift cards to CVS and Giant Foods. I was able to speak to someone when ever I had a question and I never heard, "may I take a message"

What's your advice to other families battling cancer?

My advice would be: first prayer and faith (regardless of denomination) and educate yourself. Read as much as you can, it helps facilitate great communication between you and the team of doctors. I am in the medical profession and I understood the terminology, but for me husband, he was able to keep up by reading about AML and treatment options. Also, I believe that we did not become overhelmed because we were informed and we were ableto focus on providing Lance a "normal lifestyle" as possible. Children can sense anxiety and we did not emit any anxiety or fear.

You may not know  this, but Gap's spring campaign raised $600,000 for LLS, thanks to families like yours.  Are you considering participating in the summer campaign?

Gap is our store of choice...their look is classic and timeless. They are comfortable and wash well. Both of my children are mainly in Gap (anything outside of gap is usualy a gift or purchased with a gift card) Iplan on participating on the summer campaign!!!! and getting friends and family involved.

In 1961, Ernie Davis was at the top of his game. He fought a daily battle against racial inequality and struggled to prove his worth on the football field. Against the odds, Davis became the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy for his stellar performance at Syracuse University. Unfortunately, his war on the green was not the only one this young man would fight. At 23, he landed an NFL spot with the Cleveland Browns. But, he never made it to the field, having lost his battle with leukemia.

A true America hero, Ernie Davis’ life is immortalized in a film opening on October 10, “The Express” starring Rob Brown and Dennis Quaid. Rob Brown, who plays the part of Davis, has been serving as the 2008 Light The Night Walk Spokesman in honor of Davis’ battle. View the trailer here.

“Playing Davis has helped me understand that all blood cancer patients deserve to live better, longer lives,” explained Rob Brown. As Spokesman for The Light The Night Walk, he has helped many people understand just how precious life is and how easily cancer can cut it short. See his message to supporters here.

Whether you walking for your child, your grandmother, or a Heisman Trophy winner, remember that every step you take puts us one step closer to winning our fight against blood cancers. Thank you for walking!