SydStrong is blessed to bring smiles to young adults with leukemia. Here are some that have shining SydSmiles thanks to our donors and partners.

CULLEN

Our first young adult grantee is Cullen from Shepherdsville, KY.  Cullen was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia at age 19 in 2023.

Cullen’s Words:

“Before being diagnosed I felt as though I was completely free. I went to school, I went to work, I went anywhere and did anything. I was happy and content with my life and I loved my routine. Having that freedom and trust in my body was the best feeling.
After my diagnosis, I felt and still feel that I will never be able to fully trust my own body again. Your body is meant to keep you alive, not hurt you. I had to drop my college classes and quit my job. I was completely isolated in the hospital at times. I’m very grateful my family was there for me.”

Cullen was asked what would bring a smile to his face:
“I would love to go on a shopping spree with my family. My Mother and Brother helped me so much when I was in the hospital and I would be grateful to go on a shopping spree with them. We would buy anything that caught our eye, whether that be clothes, furniture, accessories, or some games/toys.
We’ve never had a lot of money to just treat ourselves and I want to do that for myself and my family.”

Cullen took his mother and brother on a shopping trip in August.  He sent this note after the trip and shared these photos.

“This SydSmile was truly once in a lifetime for me. My mom has worked so hard to give my brother and I want we want and need, so this shopping spree was my way of saying thank you. A moment for me to give them some money and say, “go nuts!”
We got to shop till we dropped and I’m so happy we got to experience that as a family. I’ll remember this for the rest of my life, and I know my family will too. I am so grateful to all the amazing people you donated to make this happen. Without those donations we wouldn’t have been able to do this. So, thank you.”