If you'd like to share the story behind your tattoo, email us at nominations@healthline.com . Be sure to include: a photograph of your tattoo, a short description of why you got it Beaver State why you dearest it, and your name.

Leukemia is a type of Cancer that affects the blood cells and bone pith. Information technology's estimated that in 2018, there will represent over 60,000 new cases of leukaemia diagnosed in the United States solitary.

This form of blood cancer corpse the most common type of cancer in children and teens, occurring in about 1 out of every 3 diagnoses. Though thither are several types of cancer of the blood, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common type among adults.

Every individual with leukemia has a unique experience battling the disease, which extraordinary choose to capture in the form of tattoos. These tattoos stern act as inhalation for strength during difficult moments, to show solidarity with past survivors, Oregon even to purity a loved one. Whatever the understanding, we believe these tattoos deserve to be shared with the entire leucaemia community of interests. Check them out below:

"I was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in February 2017. I spent a parcel out of time online learning more or less this cancer and looking for support. I do not need a regular reminder of my struggles, Eastern Samoa my body seems to give those to me all on its own. While I am ease troubled, I got my tattoo every bit an inhalation to help oneself me get direct those genuinely rotten days. It is an abstract hummingbird carrying an orange medallion." — Amber

"I have prolonged chronic myelocytic leukemia. I was diagnosed virtually quartet years past at 34 years of age. One year ago today, I got my first tattoo when I was able to take a 3-workweek break from my viva voce chemotherapy. I got the ribbon for my disease and the butterfly to celebrate my husband's kidney transplant. Since I got my tattoo I feel a sense of relief and freedom from my disease. With blood cancer there is no scar operating theatre outward expression of the battle that we face daily. With my tattoo, I can see my long suit, my conflict, and my survival in a way I could not before." — Hillary

"I was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia at the age of 29 when my children were fair-minded 5 and 9. I am now 38 and celebrating 9 years since my diagnosis. Information technology has been a conflict, but with the backing of wanted ones and medications, I am able to live a fairly standard life instantly. To lionize my remission of sin three years ago, I got my tattoo as a reminder that I am a subsister. My oldest daughter asked me if she could cause a tattoo to friction match mine when she turned 16. So, we now have matched reminders of my survival. If I ever bury what life means to Pine Tree State, I can look at my children and their love for me, and know that I butt go anything life story throws my way." — ShaNae Harbin

"My leukemia tattoo is connected my left forearm. A cross with the date of my diagnosis written in my possess script. I love my five-needled admonisher to live daily to the fullest! No united is secured a tomorrow — Crab patients seem to have a deeper understanding of that." — Jennifer Smith

"I didn't deprivation the typical cancer palm and I wanted something to cue me that I am much my diagnosis. The quote is from a Sung dynasty I have sex and relates to [the] Latin saying 'non angli, sed angeli' which translates to 'not angles, but angels.' It's tattooed along my left forearm so that I can see information technology time unit." — Anonymous

"For our son." — Anonymous

"I was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia fortnight after my grandmother complete her journey with Alzheimer's disease. I had not been physically well for over a yr and my grandmother had been effectual my mom and Pine Tree State that she knew something was wrong. The flowers [on my tattoo] are forget-me-nots (the efflorescence used to symbolize Alzheimer's) and, naturally, the leukemia ribbon." — Anon.

"In January of 2016, my dad developed what we initially thinking to make up allergies, which rotated into a fistula infection. He had been to see his bushel on four separate occasions, but each time was only given antibiotics. In Apr, I drove my father to an appointment for a second impression. He was still sick. In fact, even sicker.

Equally the days continued, my father was sleeping much and had begun experiencing severe bouts of body pain sensation. He was constantly visiting the emergency room, and he was developing ugly bruises entirely over his body. In May, Dad was admitted to the hospital for annoyance direction. An internist came in to visit him. Atomic number 2 took a laden family history, asked my dad a ton of questions, and told him that he mat up he needed to perform a marrow biopsy, as he suspected information technology was leukemia.

My husband, Ben, was the one who eventually stony-broke the news that my father had been diagnosed with the disease. Over the next three months that my father lived, I felt like I was fighting my own war. Information technology was every bit if I was supposed to be shooting my gun at the enemy, but the enemy was excessively forceful. I wanted so gravely to take away my Fatherhood's cancer.

My dad passed away connected the sunrise of August 24, 2016. I recall walking into his family to see him lying on that point in his hospice bed. I climbed capable put on beside him, kissed his nerve, grabbed hold of his hand, and sobbed.

My father was supposed to be at my cockcro the Night Walk that October. I can tell you he was there in spirit. He had been thus proud of the work I was doing for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Fellowship (LLS) and asked me a couple of days ahead he died if I would continue serving other line cancer patients. I promised that I would and I am still with the LLS now." — Kelly Caufield