There is currently a new viral trend circling social media: The Lemons For Leukemia Challenge. This challenge has people biting down on lemons to raise awareness for becoming a bone marrow donor. By starting this challenge, 3,715 people joined the bone marrow registry, and thus thousands of lives were saved. This challenge was started by two inseparable best friends, Chris Betancourt and Dylan Hill, and this story will truly bring a smile to your face, and probably cause a few tears. Or in my case, a lot of tears.
Chris Batancourt was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia when he was in the fifth grade. In 2017, his cancer had returned and unfortunately this time, his body was resilient to most of the drugs he was given prior. At twenty years old, Chris is dying of Leukemia, and only has one year to live. When Dylan Hill found out of this diagnosis, he dropped out of college to help Chris fulfill his bucket list. In a journey celebrating life, Dylan and Chris made a bucket list of 127 things to do together before Chris passes away.
I heard about Chris’s story when watching a recent episode of “Good Mythical Morning”, a popular YouTube series, where Chris and Dylan were co-hosting an episode. Being on "Good Mythical Morning" was #73 on Chris’s bucket list, and I think it’s incredible that his dreams are being able to come to life. I think that Chris and Dylan have an eternal bond that only comes once in a lifetime. You don’t find many people who would drop their life for someone else. It’s such a beautiful friendship and it warms my heart that they’re not only remaining immensely positive, but truly just celebrating Chris’s life.
They’re not asking for your pity or begging for your money. They’re two kids who are trying to make the best of their life before cancer takes one of them.
Chris and Dylan are currently accepting donations to make Chris’s bucket list come true. You can donate here. They also have a main website where they sell t-shirts and sweatshirts that are raising funds and awareness. On their main website, you can also check out The Bucket List, as well as follow them on their journey as they cross off items on their list! Most recently, the duo was featured on an episode of “Good Mythical Morning” and they also met Danny Devito! You can visit their website here.
Unfortunately, this terminal disease gets diagnosed far too often, but there is a way to help! You can sign up to be a Bone Marrow Donor here. By donating your bone marrow, you are giving someone a second chance at life.
