Leeba’s Story

Site created on May 17, 2019

Hello family and friends.  It has been confirmed that our dear sister Leeba has been diagnosed with Leukemia and is set to begin treatments immediately.  She is presently in the hospitals where she will be for her initial phase of Chemotherapy.  Please no visitors during her hospital stay. We have set up this blog to inform you of her progress as well as any prayer needs. Please comment and send her love here and rest assured she will read and see each one.   We ask you check here for updates and communication about Leeba as opposed to texting or calling directly. Thank you for understanding.  Below are a few excerpts from a letter she wrote - be encouraged she is trusting God, as is her family.   

Joy, Sarah, Andy and Hannah 


Sending you some news that I wish was not true.  I have been diagnosed with leukemia.   The sentence seems a little unreal.  But it’s true.
I will learn today what sub-type of leukemia I have, which will determine the treatment plan.  
I was slated to be teacher on Sunday.  I John 5:6-12 was my text.  So I have read and re-read that text many times in the past few weeks.   Vs 11-12 say  “This is God’s testimony about himself:   God gave us life after death with Him; the life is in his Son. So, whoever knows the Son of God , has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life. “   So I have been continually reminded this season that I have life.  Period.  It may be life here or life in Christ’s presence.  But it is life.   I am not afraid.  I am at peace. 
Peace and love to all of you.   Leeba

Newest Update

Journal entry by Joy Astle

Greetings family, friends colleagues, neighbors and pretty much anyone who loves and misses Leeba.  Hard to believe we have been without her for the past 18+months.   I've often said that if feels like she is just traveling (one of her greatest loves) and will be back soon.   We all miss her so much as we know you all do as well and are remembering her in your own ways.   We recently received the letter below from a few of her closest colleagues and dearest friends.   Our family is honored and grateful for their work in keeping Leeba's legacy alive and finding such an amazing way to honor her with the "Leeba Lounge" at the City of Hope.  Please read on and click on the links below to learn more and participate in this beautiful memorial.  (Please use City of Hope links below and do not leave a donation on this Caring Bridge site)
 
 
To the Lessin Family and friends:
 
We hope this email finds you happy and healthy. We write to ask for your help in creating a living memorial to our friend Leeba Lessin, who passed away last February. We are excited to announce “Leeba’s Lounge,” a healing space at City of Hope.

As you know, Leeba received care at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Duarte, CA, and she named City of Hope as a place she would like to be remembered. Working together with her doctor, Stephen Forman, MD, and the City of Hope team, we have found a wonderful way to memorialize her: “Leeba’s Lounge,” a rejuvenation space at City of Hope’s new Hope Village.

Hope Village is a new and much-needed on-campus hotel for patients starting their recuperation process after treatment. The rejuvenation space—“Leeba’s Lounge”— will be a large communal lounge in the hotel where patients and families can visit, and where caregivers can take a break.

To make “Leeba’s Lounge” a reality, we need to raise $100,000 before October 1. We hope you will help us. The good news is that we are not starting from zero as we have five initial donors willing to match up to $50,000 of donations.

Please click on this link https://ourhope.cityofhope.org/leeba where you can find more information about “Leeba’s Lounge” at City of Hope and make a donation. Also, we have linked https://youtu.be/gPLOjFKofPU a video from us about Leeba and our hopes for “Leeba’s Lounge” and here https://youtu.be/Dpkr200Jtq4  a video from her physician at City of Hope, Dr. Forman.

Thanks for whatever you can do to help create “Leeba’s Lounge” so that Leeba’s legacy of loving care can continue at City of Hope.

In friendship and loving memory of our friend Leeba,

 

Nancy-Ann DeParle

 

Ben Edmands

 

Alan Hoops

 

Ken Kim, MD

 

Eric Van Horn

 

Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Leeba Stay Connected to Family and Friends

A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Leeba's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?

Comments Hide comments

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

SVG_Icons_Back_To_Top
Top