The New York Times reports that Emma Whitehead was near death last spring with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). But she is now in remission after an experimental treatment at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: the doctors at CHOP used a disabled form of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, to genetically reprogram Emma’s immune system to kill cancer cells. To perform the treatment, doctors removed millions of her T-cells (a type of white blood cell) and inserted new genes that enabled the T-cells to kill cancer cells. If you have time, this article is a must-read this morning, so click the link to hear about this amazing story of survival, and exciting news for future treatment options.

Join the fight, share a message, and show your support. For every message shared, generous donors have pledged to give the Lance Armstrong Foundation $1 towards programs and services that directly support people fighting cancer.

New York Times blogger Suleika Jaouad, who underwent a bone marrow transplant earlier this year, weighs the positive and negative aspects of fighting cancer in one of her most straightforward and honest posts to date.

GOOD shares the story of London-based broadcast journalist Ellie Jeffery, who was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer that had spread to her lungs, liver, and bones. Her doctor told her she had only months to live. But not being one to go down without a fight, Jeffery started writing a blog called “Written Off” (named as such because her doctor had written her off as dead). “Cancer is a shitter, there’s no doubt about it, but there are ways to make your life work with it. It’s not easy but for the moment I feel lucky to have the security of routine and the ability to hold on to hope,” she wrote. Jeffery died on May 18, 2012—two years after her diagnosis. She was just 29 years old. Read the GOOD article online, and visit her blog to honor this woman’s brave fight.

Your Ride is Here is a non-profit organization devoted to getting cancer patients to treatment facilities and appointments on time via a classy set of wheels. Founder Ken Adams first came up with the idea when he was fighting his own battle with cancer three years ago. He found that when he left his chemotherapy and radiation treatments, patients were often waiting on rides from friends, taxis, or buses. He wanted to help people fighting cancer worry about more important stuff than getting from point A to point B. Thus, Your Ride is Here was born. Click the link to read a really sweet article about this kind man and his new charity.

On this Mother’s Day, I climb for my mom. My mom lost her brother to cancer when she was about 30 years old. At that time, she had four kids to keep her busy—including my twin sister and I, who had been born approximately 6 months before my uncle’s death. When I think of words like, “strong,” “caring,” “kind,” or “patient,” I think of my mom. Click the link above to read more tributes to awesome women. And to all the moms out there, have a Happy Mother’s Day!

It’s been nearly 20 years since the Myeloid Cell Leukemia sequence 1 protein, also known as MCL1, was discovered. Now, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital scientists have identified a second form of the protein. This new version is shorter and works inside mitochondria, where it feeds cancer growth and tumor cell survival. This new research can aid scientists in identifying different drugs that may be able to target this protein’s function in a way that rids cancer cells of their lifeline.

Cancer can affect one’s relationships, friendships, family life, and marriage. LIVESTRONG helps individuals facing a cancer diagnosis manage tough times with plenty of support—specifically, by listening, connecting, educating, and offering resources. Read more in the link above to be inspired by the great ways LIVESTRONG truly goes beyond the yellow bracelet.