This week the public was shocked to learn that one of basketball’s most famous players had been diagnosed with early stage chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Kareem Abdul-Jabar, NBA hall of famer and a former player with the Los Angeles Lakers, was diagnosed with CML last December. Abdul-Jabar is known for being an intensely private person, but he decided recently to go public with the disease to shine a spotlight on CML. In an interview with CBS News (see: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/11/10/eveningnews/main5605532.shtml) he shared that his intention for sharing his diagnosis with the public was to give a message of hope and that he intends on continuing to live a normal life.

A key reason why he can live a normal life is because he takes daily oral medication for his CML. While he has not revealed what drug he is taking, most people diagnosed with CML are started on Gleevec®, a drug that was developed several years ago through LLS-funded research by Dr. Brian Druker (as you may recall, Dr. Druker and two colleagues were recently awarded the prestigious Lasker~DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award for their work on Gleevec). Gleevec was a big breakthrough in treatment for CML, and now there are two other oral medications that are also approved to treat CML.  Today many people who have early-stage CML are doing great -- thanks to staying in treatment -- and seeing their doctors regularly to make sure their medication and dosage are still the best choices for them.

What is CML?

There are four different types of leukemia, which means that receiving a leukemia diagnosis does not mean that every patient’s experience will be the same. Chronic myelogenous (or myeloid) leukemia is a slow-growing blood cancer that is more commonly diagnosed in adults, although some children do get CML. There are several different signs and symptoms of CML include a high white blood count, tiring more easily and having night sweats.  However these signs and symptoms do not mean that a person has CML since they can be associated with other more common conditions. We always recommend that if you suspect that your health is not what it should be that you talk with your doctor. Learn more about CML on www.lls.org.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with CML and you are looking for information and support, you may access several of our free resources listed below.

Download or order any of the following free education materials

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)

The CML Guide: Information for Patients and Caregivers

My CML Tracker (An online tool)

Find Support from LLS or those living with CML

Information Resource Center – Call 1-800-955-4572 or ask us a question online

Co-Pay Assistance Program

Family Support Groups

LLS Blood Cancer Discussion Boards – Living with CML

As Abdul-Jabar says, there is hope for those who have received a CML diagnosis. If you have a positive story to share about your experience with CML we encourage you to post it on The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Community in the Tell Us Your Story section as inspiration to others.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is proud to now offer live online chat for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients, which launches its first session this Tuesday, August 25. This live chat, called Living with CML, runs for two hours every Tuesday evening from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET. Living with CML joins the long-running Living with NHL: Gaining a Sense of Balance chat, which runs every Monday and Wednesday evening from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET.

Each chat session is hosted and run by an IRC Moderator, who is responsible for making sure that chat participants stay on topic and are respectful of each other and differing opinions. The purpose of each chat is to provide patients a safe place to discuss their stresses and triumphs through any aspect of their experience with CML or NHL.

Learn more about live online chat, and visit the registration page to sign up for either chat.

Not sure online chat is for you, but you still want to connect with other patients? Try out the LLS Blood Cancer Discussion Boards, an online forum devoted to the blood cancer patient and caregiver community.