Leukemia - The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast

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.

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When a child is diagnosed with cancer, parents are suddenly expected to manage medications, appointments, treatment decisions, family life, and overwhelming emotions, often all at once.

In this episode, we speak with Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree, pediatric cancer parent, advocate, and author of The Cancer Parent’s Handbook, about the practical guidance she wishes every family received from day one. Laura shares powerful insights from her family’s journey after her three-year-old daughter was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). She offers actionable guidance on child advocacy, trusting parental instincts, engaging siblings, and maintaining normalcy during treatment. Additionally, Laura explores strategies for helping children thrive post-treatment, providing crucial hope and support for families facing some of their hardest days.

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The post A Parent’s Guide to Childhood Cancer: Support, Advocacy, and Hope first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

Some people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may feel well day to day, but that doesn’t mean life stays the same. In this episode, we hear from Annette Holloway, a clinical psychologist living with CLL, as she shares how her diagnosis, treatment decisions, and side effects have shaped her daily life. Also joining us is Elise Curry, RN, OCN, a Clinical Trial Nurse Navigator at Blood Cancer United’s Clinical Trial Support Center, who helps break down treatment options, side effects, and the importance of communication with your care team.

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Episode supported by AbbVie Inc.; BeOne Medicines; and Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group.

The post Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Managing Treatment and Finding Balance first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a complex diagnosis, and it can be difficult to know what to expect in those early conversations after diagnosis. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Rebecca Olin from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), who helps explain what AML is and how care is approached today.

Dr. Olin walks us through how doctors evaluate AML, what factors influence treatment decisions, and how therapies – including targeted treatments, stem cell transplant, and clinical trials – are helping improve outcomes and quality of life. We also discuss the importance of supportive care and ongoing research, offering listeners a clearer picture of how AML is treated now and where progress continues to be made.

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Episode supported by Astellas Pharma US Inc.; Daiichi Sankyo Inc.; Debiopharm; Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group; and Kura Oncology, Inc.

The post Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): New Approaches For A Complex Diagnosis first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

With so many new advances in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), understanding today’s treatment landscape can give patients a clearer, more hopeful outlook.

In this episode, we speak with Marlise Luskin, MD of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, about what adults should know when facing a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Dr. Luskin helps listeners understand how ALL develops, how subtypes are identified, and why genetics play an important role in guiding treatment. She discusses current therapies including chemotherapy, targeted agents and immunotherapies including CAR T-cell therapy, as well as how care teams monitor progress and manage side effects. While ALL is a complex disease, patients and caregivers will hear clear explanations, practical information, and meaningful reasons to feel hopeful about the advances shaping ALL care today.

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Episode supported by Syndax Pharmaceuticals Inc.

The post Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): The New Tools Shaping Tomorrow first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

Curious about what’s new in the world of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)? We’re bringing you the latest insights straight from one of the field’s leading experts.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Mikkael Sekeres, of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Miami Health. Recorded onsite at the 2025 ASH (American Society of Hematology) Annual Meeting and Exposition, this conversation explores what MDS is, how it’s treated today, and what researchers are learning about managing side effects.

Dr. Sekeres also walks us through the most notable MDS updates presented at ASH, highlighting promising therapies and clinical trial data that may help shape future care. Whether you’re newly learning about MDS or following ongoing research, this episode offers an accessible look at where things stand and what’s on the horizon.

*This is not an official program of the ASH annual meeting

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Episode supported by Geron Corporation and Taiho Oncology, Inc.

The post The Bloodline Live! Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Updates in Research first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) can sound overwhelming, but what does it really mean for patients and families? In this episode, we speak to Dr. Jean Koff of Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, who breaks down the big picture of NHL: what it is, how it’s an umbrella term for multiple subtypes, and what today’s treatments and tomorrow’s innovations could mean for you. From understanding subtypes and staging to exploring options like watchful waiting, chemotherapy, and cutting-edge immunotherapies, we cover what matters most: knowledge, clarity, and hope.

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Supported by AbbVie Inc. and Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group.

The post The Big Picture on Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Treatments, Trends, and Tomorrow first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

When cancer enters a family, it changes everything – routines, roles, and relationships.

In this episode, we talk with Lindsey and Thomas Kealey about what it means to navigate cancer together as a care partner and patient. From unexpected diagnoses to months spent living in a hospital room, Lindsey shares how she balanced caregiving, work, and self-care while learning to hold space for difficult emotions. Together, they offer practical tips for caregivers, like creating healing spaces, communicating with care teams, and finding small moments of gratitude amid uncertainty. This heartfelt conversation is a reminder that behind every patient is someone quietly carrying so much and they deserve to be seen too.

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MRD (minimal/measurable residual disease) testing is changing the way doctors understand and monitor blood cancers.  In this episode, we talk with Dr. John Burke of the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center about how MRD testing works, what the results mean to patients and their care teams, and how ongoing clinical research is helping shape more personalized and hopeful approaches to treatment. 

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Supported by Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation and Allogene Therapeutics.

The post MRD Explained: What it Means for You and Your Care first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

In this episode of The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United, Elissa and guest co-host, Kristen Parker, speak with Dr. Anand Jillella, of Georgia Cancer Center. Together, they explore acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)—a rare but highly curable subtype of acute myeloid leukemia. Dr. Jillella explains the rapid onset of APL, its hallmark signs and symptoms, and how targeted treatments have transformed outcomes for patients. Kristen, an APL survivor and Blood Cancer United Patient & Community Outreach Manager, also shares her personal perspective. Listeners will gain valuable insight into why APL stands apart as one of the most treatable forms of leukemia today.

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The post Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL): Advances, Hope, and Healing first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.