Angie's Stem Cell Transplant 2006

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Location: Nova Scotia, Canada

In Sept./05 I was diagnosed with Primary Mediastinal Large Diffuse B Cell Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. The tumour in my chest measured 10cm x 10.6cm x5cm. After I completed 6 rounds of CHOP-R chemotherapy, a CT Scan in Jan.06 showed that my tumour had decreased by well over half the original size. A Gallium Scan showed negative for cancer cells in my mass. We decided to do 2 more treatments to be sure we killed any remaining cancer. We now had to decide if I should proceed with radiation. Did the risks of radiation outweigh the benefits? My hematologist and radiation oncologist had excellent arguments for both sides of the coin. The decision was to be mine. They set up appointments for me to see doctors in Toronto and Vancouver for 2nd opinions. In Vancouver I had a PET/CT Scan (a superior machine to a Gallium Scan) to see if my tumour was active. On March 17th this scan revealed that my tumour WAS still active and had INCREASED in size from an early scan. This meant that I had Relapsed or Refractory NHL....my best chance for cure was a Stem Cell Transplant. In my blog, I will describe what I am going through before, during and after my transplant.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Please sponsor me and help cure blood cancers

Please sponsor me and help cure blood cancers

PAY IT FORWARD - A Cure for Blood Cancer is Very Possible....Would you like to be part of this??






Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I am training to participate in the Dodge Rock n Roll San Diego Marathon 42.2 km Walk on June 5th of this year as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada’s Team In Training. In addition, I plan to complete the Halifax Bluenose Half Marathon 21.1 km Walk on May 22nd.
All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives.

As a 4 year survivor of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, I am eternally grateful for the many advances in treatment that contributed to saving my life.
If you want to read about my journey, you can go to www.ambsct2006.blogspot.com.
The photo above is of me helping to plant a King Red Maple Tree just prior to my Stem Cell Transplant in July of 2006. I call this tree "Mount Everest", as it signifies my challenging journey to wellness. Every time I look at my special tree, I am reminded of how far I have come and how blessed I am to be able to watch it grow.I am walking in honour of my friend Natalie Flam who I want to support in her journey to wellness and a life without Lymphoma. In addition, I will be walking in memory of Sarah Hawthorne who passed away from Hodgkin’s disease in early 2008. She was a beautiful spirit who is greatly missed by many still today.

I am one of the lucky ones as Research has saved my life so please help me PAY IT FORWARD so that we can save all lives by funding research and helping patients in need.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada’s mission is to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.

Wow, wouldn’t that be fantastic!

You can help support me by making a secure online donation using your credit card. Click on the link below:
http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=2858663&Lang=en-CAYou will receive an email confirmation, along with your tax receipt for your donation and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.

If you do not wish to make a donation online, donations can also be made by completing and mailing the attached sponsor form by May 15th, 2011. All cheques are to be made payable to 'The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada'. A Tax receipt for all donations exceeding $10 will be issued. Please don’t forget to include my name on the form so I can track the donations towards my goal of raising a minimum of $4000.00.

A cure for blood cancers is possible! Wouldn’t it be great to be part of that!!

Thank-you in advance for your support, and I truly appreciate your generosity!!Kindest Regards,

Angie Banks
Phone: 1-902-880-7508
work: abanks@comfort-foam.com
personal: a.banks@ns.sympatico.ca