There were times when Beth Soper, 34, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky wasn’t sure she was going to make it through the 2007. But after an extraordinary battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma, Soper says that she and her family are thankful for a new lease on life.

There were times when Beth Soper, 34, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky wasn’t sure she was going to make it through the 2007. But after an extraordinary battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma, Soper says that she and her family are thankful for a new lease on life.

Two years ago, Soper was just finishing up her cancer treatments. Reflecting on the three rounds of chemo and over 20 radiation treatments, Soper said, “Cancer seems like a different lifetime, long ago. The last year I’ve felt normal. I’m so glad to be alive.” Soper, who is married to Pete and has a 4 ½ year old daughter, Lena, said her family gave her strength. “I never saw my husband breakdown – he would just say everything will come out OK. I am so thankful for him.”

During her treatments, Soper has been thankful that the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has been there to help her both financially and emotionally. “Chemo is such an unpleasant thing to deal with and you don’t even know if it’s going to work, plus it costs you an arm and a leg. The patient financial aid program was a tremendous help to my family,” said Soper.

Soper said Debby Phillips and Joan Scales, Patient Services Managers for the Society, were a huge help because she was panicked about job security and financial aspects. The First Connection program hooked up Soper with a survivor with the similar diagnosis, which helped her cope with the disease. Recently, Soper was able to help a newly diagnosed patient, which was rewarding to her.

Karyl Ferman, Executive Director of the Kentucky & Southern Indiana Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society said that Soper is an inspiration to others who are battling cancer.

“Beth persevered against great odds, and the Society wants other patients to know that we are there for them, to provide information and support during these challenging times,” Ferman said.

“The Society is great,” said Soper. “You don’t have to go out of your way to learn about things and get the help you need. They are persistent and are great with follow through.”

The Kentucky & Southern Indiana Chapter is located at 600 East Main Street, Ste 102; Louisville, KY. The main line is 502.584.8490 / toll free 800.955.2566.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society^®, headquartered in White Plains, NY, with 68 chapters in the United States and Canada, is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society’s mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $550 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made 5.1 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

For more information about blood cancer, visit www.LLS.org or call the Society’s Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by master's level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.