Shawn's battle; Lymphoblastic Leukemia

In 2012, Shawn was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia, a rare type of blood cancer found in adults as it is commonly a childhood disease.


(Shawn and Jennifer in December of 2012)

(The days before cancer)

Lymphoblastic leukemia is an aggressive form of cancer where immature leukemia cells continue to reproduce and buildup. Without treatment, most people with acute leukemia would live only a few months. Shawn underwent chemotherapy and had an allogeneic stem cell transplant in 2013. He was in remission and things were looking up for his family, Jennifer, Shane, and Zealand. However, in 2014 after his one-year bone marrow biopsy Shawn relapsed and was readmitted into the hospital in Buffalo, NY. for treatment.



(Shawn, in a medically induced coma, after having been air-lifted to the hospital. April, 2014 Buffalo, NY.)

This round of chemo has not been as kind to Shawn's body. The Leukemia has caused heart and lung problems while the chemo has destroyed his bones and has developed osteoporosis having made it nearly impossible to walk. He has broken bones (his spine and several ribs) from laying in bed. His medical issues alone are enough to cause stress on his family. Things are even more difficult because his wife and children live three hours north of Buffalo, in Watertown, NY. Jennifer (Shawn's wife) has had to ask her mother to quit her job and move into the house next door to care for her children so she can be with her husband in Buffalo. This has added more bills to a single-income family, on top of the additional travel cost of exchanging the kids with her mother on the weekends. Jennifer needs your support so she can continue to be present for her husband's care. Shawn has been in Buffalo at Roswell Cancer Institute since April of this year, and we are unsure of the amount of time he will be in Buffalo for his continuing care.


(Date night at the hospital)

(After Shawn woke up from his medically induced coma)

(Shawn, Shane, and Zealand)

We ask that you donate to help alleviate the financial hardship associated with the costs of two households and excessive travel. Shawn and Jennifer have amazing support from family and friends. However, love can't pay bills and buy gas. Anything you can give will help tremendously. In NY gas is $3.89, a donation of $20.00 would put 5 gallons of gas in her tank to help reduce the cost of driving. $5.00 or $10.00 means the world to this family; anything you can give will make a difference. The goal we have set of $18,000 will help Shawn and Jennifer make it through the next year of chemotherapy. Thank you for your donation.