Jessica Stevens - Neuk the Leuk

6 days before her 24th birthday in 2014, Jess Stevens was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and immediately began intensive treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to save her life.  It was by far the scariest time in her life, but she made it to the other side, healthy and VERY grateful because of the doctors and nurses at DFCI. That is why, every year since Jess' diagnosis, she gathers with her family, friends to walk in the Jimmy Fund Walk for DFCI. Jess' team, "Neuk the Leuk," is based off a phrase she used quite often as motivation while in treatment. They are raising funds specifically for the ground-breaking research that her main oncologist, Dr. Daniel DeAngelo, and his team are conducting to find cures for the many kinds of blood cancers that are currently without successful treatment plans. Although Jess was lucky to have a treatment plan that worked, only 61% of patients diagnosed with leukemia survive 5 years past diagnosis. That number needs to get to 100%! Jess and her team are also walking in honor of a two year-old girl, Gracie who was also diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia 6 days before her 2nd birthday. This is a disease that no child should ever be diagnosed with. And Gracie is now undergoing treatment that no sweet, innocent, wide-eyed little girl should ever have to endure. Please join us, Jess and everyone on Team Neuk the Leuk in support of DFCI's heroic work for Gracie and too many others like her. #EveryMileMatters -- We want to thank the sponsor of this podcast, Needham Bank. Needham Bank is a premier sponsor of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. The Bank's continuous support has helped Dana-Farber fulfill its mission of providing expert, compassionate care and undertaking world-class research. To learn more about how Needham Bank is helping to build communities in Greater Boston and MetroWest, visit www.NeedhamBank.com.