ABSTRACT
Leukemia is a malignant proliferation of blood leukocytes, usually characterized by leukocytosis and infi ltration of other organs by leukemic cells, ultimately causing death. This is the standard dictionary defi nition of leukemia, but leukemia is much more. Its impact on our society has been formidable. There are magazines and scientifi c journals just about leukemia. There are also societies, patient groups, and survivor reunions, all associated with leukemia. Leukemia is one of many types of cancers, but it has permeated our society in a way that sets it apart from all other forms of cancer. There are many reasons for this. For one thing, it is a very diffi cult type of cancer to treat because of its nature. Another reason is that, during treatment, there is greater anxiety experienced by both patient and doctor than during other cancer treatments. Treatment takes longer and patients and their families go through constant remission/relapse cycles. More adults are stricken by leukemia, but it accounts for only 30 percent of childhood cancers. However, when children suffer we suffer (Westcott 1999).
