"So many lives have been lost to cancer; I am so blessed and thankful to be here today as a survivor." – Lauryn, Four Diamonds young adult
A Weekend Hike Leads to a Cancer Diagnosis
When Lauryn was 20 years old and a junior at Penn State University Park, she began feeling fatigued like she couldn't keep up with her peers. She had massive bruises on her body and her skin looked pale. One weekend, she went home and was hiking with her dad when she felt short of breath and exhausted. After the hike, her fingernails were blue and she had a fever.
The following Monday, she went to her family doctor, expecting an anemia or mono diagnosis. Later that day, she received a phone call from her doctor urging her to go to the emergency room for a blood transfusion. Her hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood, was critically low and she could pass out at any moment.
After additional testing, Lauryn's doctors informed her that they had found cells in her blood that looked cancerous. On October 16, 2019, Lauryn was officially diagnosed with leukemia. Despite her age at the time of her diagnosis, her doctors decided the best plan was for her to be treated at Penn State Health Children's Hospital due to the type of leukemia she had.
Lauryn's Cancer Journey Begins
Lauryn felt supported by Four Diamonds as soon as she entered her hospital room.
Thanks to Four Diamonds, Lauryn’s family could have peace of mind, knowing that all her care and treatment expenses not covered by insurance were fully taken care of. She also received support from Four Diamonds through genetic testing, food vouchers, gas vouchers, psychological therapy, music therapy and Child Life services. This support had a big impact on her family. Lauryn remembers the relief she felt after genetic testing when she found out her cancer wouldn't be passed down to her future children. She also recalls the smiles that Four Diamonds Child Life specialists brought to patients' faces during the holiday season.
"There was a knock on our door probably five minutes after we got settled. A Four Diamonds social worker came in, explained all of the ways that they were going to help us, and we were a Four Diamonds family from then on. I knew that I had the support of not only my family and friends, but a new family as well in Four Diamonds. We had so much to worry about; but one thing that was certain from that first day was that we would NEVER have to worry about paying for ANYTHING related to my treatment. Cancer is a HUGE financial burden. Not having to worry about that burden is the best support that any family could receive while their child is going through cancer treatment." – Lauryn
Throughout treatment, Lauryn faced numerous struggles. She suffered stroke like symptoms due to methotrexate toxicity, which comes from the chemotherapy drug she was taking. She had to stop treatment when her liver and pancreas were getting too damaged from the chemotherapy. She also had a severe allergic reaction to a key chemotherapy drug that helped ensure remission.
Lauryn's healthcare team worked tirelessly to find the best treatment and care to help her conquer childhood cancer. Despite all of these challenges, after two and a half years of treatment, Lauryn rang the bell on February 23, 2022.
Using Honesty to Move Forward
In fall 2022, Lauryn went back to school at Penn State Harrisburg where she served as Vice President of Penn State Harrisburg's THON organization. She recently finished her bachelor's degree in May 2024 and now plans to attend medical school. Lauryn is so thankful for Four Diamonds, her medical team and any fundraisers who support Four Diamonds for helping her survive cancer.
For Lauryn, part of her survivorship journey has been sharing her story honestly and openly with the community. It has taken her some time to reach a point where she can share, but she recognizes the importance of using her story to help others.
This past August, she was a keynote speaker at the Four Diamonds Mini-THON Leadership Summit, where she encouraged and inspired Mini-THON students and advisors by showing them first-hand that their efforts are meaningful and helping families like hers. Lauryn hopes that there will be a point where every cancer patient is a survivor.
Four Diamonds will always be a part of me. Hopefully, we get to a point where we have nothing but survivors; if a parent must hear that their child has cancer, let us get to a point where we know they will survive it." – Lauryn
Check out the video above to hear more of Lauryn's story. To learn more about how Four Diamonds helps families like Lauryn's while facing childhood cancer, click here.