
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


In this episode, four-time Olympic downhill skier AJ Kitt shares his diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and how revolutionary medical advances transformed an unsettling diagnosis into a manageable part of his everyday life.
AJ opens up about the initial shock of the news, the emotional toll it took on his young family, and how finding CML pioneer, Dr. Brian Druker, restored his confidence amid deep uncertainty. The conversation dives into his treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), the vital importance of self-advocacy, and how he continues to thrive as both an athlete and a ski coach. Tune in to hear why AJ believes that access to reliable information is the ultimate game-changer for anyone navigating a new CML diagnosis.
Mentioned on this episode:
Additional Blood Cancer United Support Resources:
The post Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Four Olympics, One Unexpected Diagnosis first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.
Join us as we speak to Mousa Ghannam, who was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) at the age of 24. He shares his ups and downs over the past 20 years and how he has persevered to become the happy and healthy husband and father he is now.
Don’t miss this inspiring episode of a blood cancer survivor who chooses to bet on life and not cash in his chips.
Mentioned on this episode:
Additional LLS Support Resources:
The post Not Cashing In My Chips: Living with Cancer first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.
Nourishing your body after a cancer diagnosis can seem like an impossible task when your mind is focused on survival. Join us as we talk to chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patient, Jonathan Daige, and Registered Dietitian, Jennifer Redlich, about healthy eating and the benefits of a balanced diet.
In this episode, Jonathan, a three-time cancer survivor, shares his journey of nutrition and exercise through his cancer treatments. Jennifer gives tips on putting together balanced meals that provide patients with the nutrients they need to nourish their bodies during cancer treatments. All cancer patients and caregivers can benefit from this episode, as we learn that no step is too small to maintain good nutrition.
Mentioned on this episode:
Additional LLS Support Resources:
Support for this episode provided by: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
The post Fueling Hope: Nutrition Insights for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.
Join us as we hear two different perspectives from people living with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML); Tim Sohn, a 16-year survivor and Becky Dame, a 32-year survivor. In this episode, we hear how CML treatment has changed since 1991, when Becky was diagnosed. Becky had a difficult journey through cycles of relapse, transplant, and remission, while Tim shares his experience using newer therapies. Both share their stories and how CML has impacted their lives.
Both Tim and Becky have worked to build and maintain a good quality of life and have used their experiences to help others in the cancer community and find connection.
Mentioned on this episode:
Additional LLS Support Resources:
Support for this episode provided by: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
The post Perspectives on Quality of Life: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.
Join us as we speak to Dr. Richard Larson and Dr. Anand Patel from University of Chicago Medicine about chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In this episode, they discuss the latest advances in treatment for CML and what is on the horizon.
With decades of progress with targeted treatments, CML patients are now given more hope of achieving deep remission and potentially discontinuing medication. A cure for an incurable disease may now be in sight.
Mentioned on this episode:
Additional LLS Support Resources:
Support for this episode is provided by University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The post Hopeful Advancements for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.
Join us as we speak to John Falco, who was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in 2019 and then later diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in his brain in 2021. This incredibly rare second diagnosis changed the course of John’s treatment and thankfully led to him achieving a complete remission after a stem cell transplant.
As a young adult professional, John was at the heart of his career at the time of his diagnosis and felt the pressure to return to normal, which meant returning to work quickly. He shares advice with other young adult cancer patients to slow down and enjoy life, while also listening to your body and advocating for yourself.
Mentioned on this episode:
Additional LLS Support Resources:
The post A Young Adult’s Journey Through Two Leukemia Diagnoses first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.
Join us as we speak with Donnie Hill, a chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) / small cell lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) patient and his doctor, James Essell, MD, of Oncology Hematology Care, Inc. in Cincinnati, OH. In this episode, Donnie and Dr. Essell discuss the importance of shared decision making (SDM) and how they worked together to determine the best treatment course for Donnie’s CLL/SLL. Shared decision making is a key component of patient-centered healthcare that balances risks and expected outcomes with patient preferences and values. Be sure to tune into this real-world example of how SDM works and how patients can have open communication with their healthcare team.
Mentioned on this episode:
Additional LLS Support Resources:
Support for this episode provided by AbbVie Inc. and Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group.
The post Patient-Doctor Perspectives: Shared Decision Making first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.
Join us in this next installment of our series, Patient-Doctor Perspectives, where we explore a diagnosis from the view of a patient and doctor. To celebrate the 100th episode of The Bloodline with LLS, we will be speaking with Mel Mann, a chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) survivor and Dr. Brian Druker, a physician researcher at Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU).
Mel shares how Dr. Druker’s research saved his life with the drug, Gleevec®, and we get to hear his inspirational message of how one person can make a difference. Dr. Druker discusses this revolutionary therapy, how it transformed the lives of CML patients like Mel, and how targeted treatments are continuing to transform how we treat cancer.
Mentioned on this episode:
Additional LLS Support Resources:
Support for this episode provided by Pfizer.
The post Patient-Doctor Perspectives: Groundbreaking Research in CML first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.
We will be speaking with WWE Superstar, actor, and former professional football player, Joseph Anoai, who many may know as Roman Reigns. Apart from fighting opponents in the ring, Roman found himself fighting his biggest opponent yet after receiving his leukemia diagnosis back in 2007. Listen as Roman Reigns explains his cancer journey to our very own President & CEO, Dr. Louis DeGennaro.
Mentioned on this episode:
Additional LLS Support Resources:
The post Together in the Fight Against Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Roman Reigns’ Story first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.
Twenty-three years old and living in New York City, Glamour magazine Editor Erin Zammett Ruddy finds herself writing her biggest story yet when she is diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Upon diagnosis, this writer, author, blogger and survivor, along with her husband Nick, make the brave decision to stop treatment three times in hopes of expanding their family. Listen in as Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speak with Erin and Dr. Michael Mauro, hematologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Mauro has treated Erin since her diagnosis, going on 16+ years, and is a strong advocate for women and fertility within the cancer realm. You’ll hear about Erin’s journey, fertility preservation, questions patients can ask their healthcare team when considering fertility, and how patients are not only ‘patients’ but people seeking to live the life they’ve always envisioned for themselves.
Download Transcript
Mentioned in this episode:
Additional LLS Support Resources:
Please comment below as we’d love to hear your feedback on this episode. Also, be sure to subscribe today to be notified of our next episode.
Become a First Connection volunteer! Learn more by calling an LLS Information Specialist at (800) 955-4572, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET or visiting www.LLS.org/InformationSpecialists.
The post Stopped Treatment, Started a Family first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.
From the publisher's feed