Southfield (CW50) – Connor Burke, a biochemistry major at U of M, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After his diagnosis, Burke said transfusing blood from donors was the only way for him to feel like himself again. These gifts help Burke overcome fatigue, facial discoloration, and the inability to do normal activities on his own.

In his battle with leukemia, Burke knew what others had done for him, be it the donors or the medical professionals who accompanied him through his treatment. Burke knew he wanted to help others like everyone else had helped him. While studying biochemistry, Burke hopes to one day become a hematological oncologist. He feels he can better help others who have these blood cancers since he knows exactly what they are going through.

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Burke was a research intern at the Van Andel Institute over the summer in a lab that primarily studied pediatric acute myeloid leukemia, which is similar to the cancer he was diagnosed with.

In his ongoing journey of helping others, Burke is also a board member of Blood Drives United.

He also volunteers at the “U of M’s Be a Hero” blood drive at the Big House. This is the largest one-day blood drive on the U of M campus. The event will take place on Sunday, November 21 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Register at WolverinesForLife.org

Community Connect host Jackie Paige with U of M student and leukemia survivor Connor Burke

Connor Burke joins Jackie Paige on Community Connect to talk about her leukemia diagnosis, treatment and future plans in the medical field.

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look Community Connection, Saturday at 7 a.m. on CW50