Name: Karla
Diagnosis: acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia
Home state: Arkansas
In January 2000, Karla started experiencing flu symptoms, and dark spots developed around her eyes. She went to an eye doctor who suspected something serious was causing her problems. Lab tests revealed she had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and she was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®.
Karla completed her treatment for ALL in July 2002, but the following year, she relapsed with secondary acute myeloid leukemia.
“My whole world fell apart,” said Karla. “I had gone through all that chemo, and I felt like it was for nothing. But I didn’t want to give up. I agreed to my treatment, and I’m so happy I did. I feel so much better.”
Karla hopes to be a nurse in the future. “I think it would be nice to work here (at St. Jude). It would be a way to give back to St. Jude for what they’ve given me.”
