We at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) were saddened to learn that 6-year-old Jasmina Anema lost her battle with leukemia last week. She had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer called natural killer (NK) cell leukemia. This disease is difficult to treat. NK cell leukemia is usually treated with high-dose chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant using donor stem cells.
 
Jasmina’s need for a stem cell transplant donor with a tissue type that matched her own stem cells resulted in a fervent public campaign. It included a plea from Rihanna, one of Jasmina’s favorite celebrities. She did receive a transplant, and although it appeared to be successful, her leukemia returned. While she was well enough, Jasmina traveled to Washington, D.C. to visit President Barack Obama in the White House. You can read more about her courageous journey at the New York Daily News website.

Jasmina’s story reminds us of the importance of finding cures for all children who have leukemia. LLS is proud to support the critical research conducted on a daily basis so that one day every patient diagnosed with a blood cancer can expect to be cured.

This research depends heavily upon clinical trials, which requires the participation of patients who can help researchers as they work to bring breakthrough therapies to the public. Patients who are considering participating in clinical trials should be confident that they are receiving safe and high quality treatment and are helping to pave the way for future cancer patients to receive life-saving drugs and therapies. If you have been diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma or another blood cancer we encourage you to visit TrialCheck® to see if there is a clinical trial in which you can participate.

Have questions about NK cell leukemia, stem cell transplant or clinical trials? Call 1-800-955-4572 and our staff will be happy to talk with you.