Beverly Kearney's life is all about speed and winning. She's the legendary head coach of the University of Texas women's track and field team. Under her leadership, the Longhorns have claimed six national 
As soon as her mother's car pulled away, Cathy Harper Lee always counted the blades of grass on the lawn. She hoped to reach a high number. That meant a few moments alone before her step-father ordered her inside. 
January 14, 2010
Jessica was only 11, and an avid softball and handball player, when she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The diagnosis resulted in a bone marrow transplant, a peripheral blood stem cell transplant and donations of blood and platelets to keep her alive.
Today, she is 23-years-old, cancer-free and thriving, and posted a guest blog on the website of the Puget Sound Blood Center in an effort to thank the many donors who saved her life, but also to educate others about the disease and offer hope to survivors.
"Cancer treatment isn't easy," Jessica wrote, adding that bravery had nothing to do with her ultimate triumph over the disease.
Rather, she added, "my acceptance of the situation, my adaptability, my faith that when my parents told me "everything would be OK" it would be - that's what got me through the years of treatment."
According to the Centers for Disease Control, a total of 33,616 Americans were diagnosed with leukemia and 21,716 died of it in 2005 (the most recent year for which statistics are available).
Although there are no known ways to prevent most types of leukemia, WebMD.com suggests some forms of the disease may be prevented by avoiding high doses of radiation, exposure to the chemical benzene, smoking and other tobacco use.
Despite leukemia diagnosis many people are able to living fulfilling lives, and organizations such as Leukemia and Lymphoma Society provide access to valuable resources and accept donations towards finding a cure.
