Janina Sturdivant is 36 and has been diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. She participates in research studies and has an unusual treatment plan. She has learned to appreciate life and spending time with her children. She addresses middle school students about cancer and children with cancer. She advises always ask questions, take an active part in treatment, and join a support group.

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Transcript

My name is Yanina Sturdivant. I am 36 years old this year. I was diagnosed when I was 25 with acute myelogenous leukemia. From the beginning, I’ve never thought cancer was a curse or a death sentence. It’s made me appreciate my life. a little bit more. my Children were very small when I was diagnosed and I appreciate the time I have with them.

In no way did I think that I would be here to see my son in high school and my other son getting ready to go into middle school. In no way did I think I would make the friends that I’ve made and the contacts that I’ve made and the impact that these people have on my life and the impact that I have on theirs.

It’s really interesting to see and it’s very important to me. to me to use that as my platform to show people it’s not about dying, it’s about living. I use my experience to speak to students. I work in a school, in a middle school, as a substitute teacher. But I go into their health classes and I speak about cancer and I speak about the different kinds of cancers there are and how they should treat their fellow patients.

Unfortunately, there was actually a couple of students this past year who passed away from cancer. And, the kids ask a lot of questions. why is that fair? Why are they so young and they have to deal with this? Without scaring them and without making them feel like they are not doing enough, I have to tell them to treat their friend like they always treated their friend.

That’s what their friend wants, is to be as normal as possible, even through the worst of the disease. Make them know that you love them, and make them know that you care about what they’re going through, even though you don’t understand it. I think cancer is a vehicle to opening the eyes of anyone dealing with it, whether it be a caregiver.

Or a patient, or even the doctor or nurse that is dealing with it. Each one of these people have a part in living with a disease that isn’t necessarily curable right now, but can be managed, and we’re the greater power. We’re fighting the battle, and we’re winning. And it just helps me appreciate what I have, and it helps me appreciate what other people have as well.

And I think that that is the most important thing.