On April 29, the band Monty Are I performed at Davisville Middle School in Rhode Island as a reward to the students for raising $4,665.89 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients program. This was $500 more than what they had raised the previous year, and were motivated to increase their fundraising efforts after hearing a talk given by Joyce Muir, mother to two of the band members, Ryan and Justin.

What Joyce told the school about was Ryan’s fight with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). After being diagnosed at 16 years of age, he underwent 2 ½ years of treatment. As he reflects on having cancer he says it was the hardest time of his life, yet it hasn’t been until more recently that he has been able to understand what he went through and the impact it has had on his life.

"Some things I wish I had taken more time to understand is that it’s ok to be sad and it’s ok to get angry cause this is an awful experience, but you need to take that energy and then turn it into something positive and don’t be afraid to express it to other people.”

Today Ryan is in remission, and he says that he hasn’t really shared this part of his life with his fans yet. He feels that now is the time to let people know what he has gone through so he can positively impact others going through similar experiences.

Watch Monty Are I's performance at Davisville Middle School on YouTube, and learn more about Monty Are I at their website, www.montyarei.com.

Learn more about Pennies for Patients, as well as other school programs on the School and Youth website.

Learn more about ALL by downloading these free resources (PDF) or ordering them through the Free Materials section of our website:

• Understanding Leukemia or download the Spanish-language version, La leucemia
• Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers
• Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia or download the Spanish-language version, Leucemia linfocítica aguda

I’ve been spending a little time today reading the Patient Services Discussion Boards, specifically the Newly Diagnosed board. It’s heartbreaking to read some of these posts. A lot of these new cancer patients and their caregivers are scared, feel helpless, and alone. Participating in our online community allows them to find the immediate emotional support they need.

These people are also looking for resources – many of which The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) provides.

In just got the dx dkvpv looks for questions to ask her doctor:

“…my Dr. said we would sit down and talk. I'm very scared and numb. What should I expect, what should I ask?”

The LLS website has a page called, What to Ask After Diagnosis. It has a variety of printable question guides which can be of help during different conversations a cancer patient may have while sitting down with their oncologist.

In NH folicular lymphoma Me2RN looks for peer support:

“At times I feel set apart from others and would like to just talk about it with people who feel like I do or have the same experience. I have a great support group around me but they do not have cancer.”

LLS offers First Connection, which is a peer-to-peer support program. You can sign up to receive a call from a trained volunteer who has been through it, just like you. Both patients and caregivers can utilize this helpful program.

In New dx of CML-scared to death!! LauraB523 wants to know how to cope:

“So, does anyone have any advice or coping skills to pass along? I have some good days but also some bad. Just a lot to deal with right now!!”

Along with many other free materials, LLS offers the Coping support booklet (.pdf) which can either be downloaded or received by mail. It’s geared towards people living with leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

There are many other online resources available to people who have been newly diagnosed with one of the blood cancers. It’s not easy to find out that you or a loved one has cancer, but it can be easy to find the help and support you need on our website. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Give us a call or send us an email.