Pam's Story

Halloween 2020. One of Pam's favorite holidays. We had recently returned from the Boone/Blowing Rock NC area visiting our (2) boys. Pam had an unusual rash and had decided to stop by a minute clinic to have looked at as over-the-counter topical ointments were not helping. Luckily the minute clinic nurse was hyper-observant and thought there might be more to the rash. Pam was asked to go to the Brier Creek WakeMed location for some lab work. She was starting to get anxious as her focus on Oct 31st was to return home and prepare for trick-or-treaters. We became alarmed when lab results warranted a referral for more lab work at WakeMed main hospital immediately. By now I had to pick Pam up and drop her off as it was past hospital visiting hours. I received a call from the nurse to return to the hospital after 11 pm as the lab results had confirmed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Hospital transport was arranged to Duke University Hospital in Durham where Pam would be admitted immediately. At this time Pam is not feeling ill in any way, just a skin rash. Chemotherapy began right away. The treatment is so taxing on the body attacking the cancer that after 3 weeks so many parts of her body were breaking down in response to the fight.

Thanksgiving and Christmas of 2020 were spent in the ICU in and out of consciousness. Pam's initial hospital stay was from November 1st and discharged home Dec 30^th, 2020. Daily Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic visits would follow discharge. The hospital would become a revolving door for the next 30 months.

Pam received her first stem cell/bone marrow transplant on March 3rd, 2021. The team would only consider three possible donors for testing; a sibling sharing both of the same parents and our two children. Pam's brother Mark Vincent donates new stem cells ("smiles") for his little sister Pam. Without Mark or our two boys, the team would look for a match in the national registry of donors.

Pam fought to reach remission for a total of 15 months. She was in and out of the hospital for some of that time but was amazingly able for a brief time to return to work in person.

Unfortunately, we were informed on July 8, 2022, the disease had returned. Our oldest son Elijah Richardson donated new stem cells for Pam's second transplant On Nov 7^th, 2022.

A relapse, followed Feb 24^th, 2023 and she lost the fight on June 28th, 2023.
Pam is survived by her husband Randy and sons Elijah and Tyler.

-Written by Randy Richardson, Pam's husband

Angie’s Story

Angie Pross is a 26-year-old wife and mother with 3 young children actively fighting AML.

October 21, 2023

A year ago today my husband and I were in the ER and we heard the words “It’s cancer”...later that evening he was bringing me a suitcase for my month-long induction chemo and I was having my IV placed for my 24-hour chemo. What a year it’s been but I’m making it.

September 20, 2023

September is leukemia awareness month. I went 24 years of my life never knowing. October 21st, 2022 in the emergency room I heard the words “You have cancer and will start induction chemo today”. My first thought wasn’t myself but the ones closest to me.. my kids, my husband, and my family how they were going to get through this. My Parents and church family stepped right up to care for and love the kids as well as my husband. During my month-long stay, I found out I had a mutation and aggressive cancer that required a bone marrow transplant. My sweet brother got tested and unfortunately wasn’t a high match so the search for a worldwide match started. My doctor and team found a few good matches and I was admitted in April 2023 to start the hardest chemo my body had ever taken. April 26th is my re-birth day as the nurses call it which is when my donor cells were transfused. My body went through the hardest challenge those next few weeks. The past few months have gone amazing compared to a lot of other bone marrow patients but they have come with a lot of exhaustion and sickness. A few days before Labor Day my latest bone marrow biopsy showed 25% blast cells (cancer cells) unfortunately my cancer has come back again but at a lower percentage. I have started my new treatment plan and all signs are showing positive signs towards improvement and my doctors feel hopeful. I wanted to update everyone who’s been asking and following along with my journey but also to bring awareness to a cancer that very often gets overlooked. Prayers are appreciated.

*The above passages are from Angie's Facebook posts with her permission.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the global leader in the fight against blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world provides free information and support services and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. For additional information, visit https://www.lls.org/.

Resources and Information:

2024 St Patrick's Day Party with a Purpose

In Memory of Pam Richardson with proceeds benefiting Angie Pross and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)---ONLINE TICKET SALES HAVE CLOSED- PURCHASE AT DOOR