Help Spread Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness

A few weeks ago this world lost one of the strongest, kindest, and most beautiful women I’ve ever met.  My friend, Jessica Rodriguez died from Lymphoma at the young age of 23 leaving her loving family and friends with a void in their hearts.

I will always admire Jessica for her courage and strength.  Jess was fearless.  I watched from the sidelines when she jumped from the second highest bungee jumping platform in the world during our trip to Cairns, Australia.  Earlier that same day, Jess had gone sky diving over the Great Barrier Reef and I stood by in awe and envy.  Jessica was the type of person who made the impossible seem possible, whether it was extreme sports, a difficult college course, an interpersonal conflict, or her fight with cancer.  Jessica was graceful and inspired all of us by example.  To live life with positive expectation and to never sweat the small stuff.  Jessica instills hope within us and motivates us to reach for more.  Jessica’s legacy lives on through everyone that loved her and the progression of medicine that we all can have an active hand in.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) aims to improve the lives of patients with blood cancers and their families.  LLS donations by concerned donors have helped find medical advances that are helping patients far beyond those for whom they were originally developed, including patients with solid tumors and auto-immune diseases.  In the past decade, nearly 50% (19 out of 39) of the cancer drugs approved by the FDA were approved as treatments for blood cancer patients. Twelve are already approved for people beyond those for whom they were first developed.  Together, we are saving lives.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Pura Vida Bracelet is red and blue, the bracelets are hand-made, unique, and waterproof.  The bracelets cost $5 and for every purchase Pura Vida Bracelets will donate $1 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on your behalf.  Every dollar helps support a great cause and will continue to make a difference in the lives of people all over the world that are affected by blood cancer.