AbbVie has released ‘Second Winds’, a short documentary capturing the lived experience of three people diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), one of the most common forms of adult leukaemia in the US.
Where to watch
Launched last week in Los Angeles by actor and advocate Jesse Tyler Ferguson, the film is now available via LA Times Studios Short Docs and the AbbVie YouTube channel, with a wider release on Documentary+ set for next month.
At the launch, Ferguson shared: “Cancer has touched my own family, so I know firsthand how deeply it can impact one’s perspective on life. What moved me about Second Winds is that it shows even in the face of a devastating diagnosis, people can rediscover purpose and joy. Hosting this film premiere felt like a way to honour that strength and resilience.”
Three stories
The documentary follows Christina, who, since her diagnosis in 2013, now leads support groups for newly diagnosed patients; Jeff, retired and living with CLL for two decades; and Alejandro, an environmental engineer and father of three diagnosed in 2020. Their stories highlight how family and community support, alongside individual determination, enable patients to maintain both physical and mental wellbeing, and to keep enjoying activities such as hiking, cycling and land paddling.
Andy Souers, Vice President and Oncology Discovery Research Fellow, AbbVie, said: “Second Winds shines a powerful light on the resilience and hope of people living with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. At AbbVie, we support the blood cancer community, not only through scientific innovation to develop treatments that address the disease and a person’s quality of life, but also by amplifying their inspiring stories.”
How common is the disease?
CLL is estimated to affect over 226,000 Americans, with more than 23,000 new cases projected in 2025. Most diagnoses occur in older males with a median age at diagnosis between 65 and 74, though CLL impacts many patient communities.
Watch the short film here: Second Winds CLL Documentary
