North Park resident named Honored Hero for Light The Night Walk

- Tanaja Potts honored for overcoming Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma; aims to raise funds, attract walkers for November 8 event at Petco Park -
By: Alyson Jamison
 
SAN DIEGO - Aug. 6, 2013 - PRLog -- North Park resident, Tanaja Potts, was named an Honored Hero for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) annual Light The Night® Walk (http://www.lightthenight.org/sd/) on Friday, November 8 at Petco Park.

Tanaja, diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkins Lymphoma, will be honored at the 15th annual two-mile walk that brings together thousands of individuals to raise funds for blood cancer research and patient services.

 
“In high school, I had so many aspirations and my whole life ahead of me. The last thing on my mind was cancer. It was extremely difficult for me to understand what was going on at the time and battling cancer has forever changed my life,” said Tanaja. “I’m a walking testimony and want to be there for anyone going through the same struggles. Support is key and without it, I wouldn’t be here today.”
 
A then 17-year-old high school senior, Tanaja didn’t face the same dilemmas and decisions her fellow classmates and friends did. While many were preparing for college and other adventures, she was dealing with other struggles. Out of nowhere, Tanaja lost her appetite and developed large knots on both sides of her neck and under her arm. Not knowing what was wrong, her mother took her to the emergency room where doctors thought she was experiencing an allergic reaction. Not satisfied with that response, they went to an oncologist who performed a bone marrow biopsy. On June 15, 2005, Tanaja learned she had Stage IV Hodgkins Lymphoma. After being diagnosed with the most advanced stage, Tanaja and her mom packed up their belongings and moved from Los Angeles to San Diego so she could receive the best possible treatment at Moores Cancer Center in La Jolla.  In August 2005, Tanaja received her first chemotherapy treatment. In addition to dealing with the various negative side effects, she was constantly sick and battling various emotions. Tanaja was physically and emotionally drained from treatments and worried about graduating on time and receiving her high school diploma. However, while going through chemotherapy and adjusting to living in a new city, she kept up with her school work and three days after receiving a treatment, she took the train up to Los Angeles so she could walk at her high school graduation and earned her GED and high school diploma in December 2005. The following year, Tanaja was in remission. Today, 25-years-old, she’s healthy and credits the nursing staff at Moores and her mother, who was her rock from day one, for helping her get through this difficult experience.
 
In November, walkers will join together in twilight holding illuminated balloons – white for survivors, red for supporters and gold to remember those lost to cancer. In addition to the Walk, the evening’s festivities will include music, food and family activities.
 
“This will be Tanaja’s second year participating in the Walk and given her story, we thought she was without a doubt an ‘Honored Hero’ with everything she has overcome and the perseverance she displayed through it all,” said Joanna Winsborough, Senior Campaign Manager for the Light The Night Walk in San Diego. “She was put in a very difficult situation and not only beat it, but she received her high school diploma concurrently. That’s remarkable and we hope others will get involved and join her team.”
 
Individuals can donate to Tanaja’s fundraising goal or sign up to join her team Livestrong (http://pages.lightthenight.org/sd/SanDiego13/livestrong). For more information on this year’s event, visit http://www.lightthenight.org/sd/
 
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ® (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to 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 and provides free information and support services.  
 
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit http://www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. 
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Source:Alyson Jamison
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Tags:Light The Night, Tanaja Potts, North Park, Leukemia
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Location:San Diego - California - United States
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