Benefit for Erin Cunningham
Donation protected
Help Erin Cunningham get a Stem Cell Transplant:
There are some people who help define the best of a community simply by their presence. For Boise, Erin Cunningham is one of those people.
Maybe you know her personally, got a recommendation from her at the Record Exchange, are familiar with her eerie paintings, or were inspired by her in one of the many art classes she teaches at Boise State. However you know Erin, she’s undoubtedly made a positive impact on your life.
This summer, Erin was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer known as Myelodysplastic syndrome. In very basic terms, a person with this disorder does not have blood cells that properly develop, fully mature, or perform their typical functions. Historically, this disorder was called pre-leukemia, and if left untreated, could eventually become Leukemia. The best and most direct route of treatment for this illness (MDS) is a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, which Erin is currently awaiting at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
The entire transplant process will require that Erin stay in Seattle for roughly four months, but her treatment doesn’t end when she returns to Boise. Because of the nature of a stem cell transplant, Erin’s immune system will be fragile for a long time after she receives the new cell infusion. Her activities in public must be extremely limited because she cannot risk catching common illnesses such as a cold or flu that would be of no concern to a moderately healthy person. Due to this, she will be unable to return to a classroom or work for up to a year after the transplant.
The search for a donor, coupled with the treatment plan, transplant, various hospital stays, extensive testing as well as basic housing expenses for a home away from home amounts to an enormous expenditure, compounded by her inability to work during this time.
This fund is designed to ease the financial burden of this treatment for Erin and her family. Please consider a donation to her cause and help support a remarkable woman who has enriched Boise’s art community for nearly 15 years.
There are some people who help define the best of a community simply by their presence. For Boise, Erin Cunningham is one of those people.
Maybe you know her personally, got a recommendation from her at the Record Exchange, are familiar with her eerie paintings, or were inspired by her in one of the many art classes she teaches at Boise State. However you know Erin, she’s undoubtedly made a positive impact on your life.
This summer, Erin was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer known as Myelodysplastic syndrome. In very basic terms, a person with this disorder does not have blood cells that properly develop, fully mature, or perform their typical functions. Historically, this disorder was called pre-leukemia, and if left untreated, could eventually become Leukemia. The best and most direct route of treatment for this illness (MDS) is a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, which Erin is currently awaiting at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
The entire transplant process will require that Erin stay in Seattle for roughly four months, but her treatment doesn’t end when she returns to Boise. Because of the nature of a stem cell transplant, Erin’s immune system will be fragile for a long time after she receives the new cell infusion. Her activities in public must be extremely limited because she cannot risk catching common illnesses such as a cold or flu that would be of no concern to a moderately healthy person. Due to this, she will be unable to return to a classroom or work for up to a year after the transplant.
The search for a donor, coupled with the treatment plan, transplant, various hospital stays, extensive testing as well as basic housing expenses for a home away from home amounts to an enormous expenditure, compounded by her inability to work during this time.
This fund is designed to ease the financial burden of this treatment for Erin and her family. Please consider a donation to her cause and help support a remarkable woman who has enriched Boise’s art community for nearly 15 years.
Organizer and beneficiary
Meshel René Ledet
Organizer
Boise, ID
Erin Cunningham
Beneficiary
