Kelly Strong: Hodgkin's Lymphoma

I'm still in shock when I say this, but my best friend, Kelly, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma about 2 months ago. From hanging out every night during summer, going to all of the country concerts, spending all of senior year together, playing soccer every summer and jamming in the car with the windows down ... and now we're here.

This was so unexpected. Kelly is a strong girl and ready to fight at (just barely) 19 years old. I would so much appreciate a donation of any kind, or even a prayer, for my best friend to get better as soon as she possibly can.

She has begun her numerous rounds of chemo, frequent testing, and awaiting her time to start radiation shortly after. Being stage 4 this will not be an easy fight, but she is more than ready for it.

"This is difficult for me to post because no one truly knows what's been going on with me the past two months, but I have finally been able to accept what's going on. Everything has happened so suddenly and has already changed every aspect of my life. From being completely healthy and living a normal life, to finding swollen lymph nodes, which lead to months of confusion, with tests and surgeries and then to a sudden cancer diagnosis. This is still a shock to me and doesn't seem real but I'm as ready as I can be for the future. This is me accepting everything and starting my fight, knowing that I'm ready to end this. Today marks the end of my first round of chemo! Here's to getting better and staying positive."

-Kelly O'Connor