Giving Hope
Dear friends, family and community,
I am writing to you all today to tell you a story about a family who needs your help. I am writing to you hoping you will stop what you are doing and take the time to really listen. I am writing to you all because my sister is too proud...
Bryan was diagnosed with Acute Myloid Leukemia on May 24, 2016. Once he was diagnosed he was immediately transferred to MD Anderson where he has stayed the majority of the time. Bryan has undergone 3 rounds of chemotherapy and due to the nature of the leukemia, he will require an allogenic stem cell transplant. Bryan will check back in to MD Anderson on September 22 and will undergo another round of chemotherapy prior to the stem cell transplant. Bryan will be required to stay 100 day post transplant in Houston.
As you can imagine this diagnosis has taken an overwhelmingly emotional toll on the family and has also created a great financial burden. Not only do the household expenses associated with raising children and caring for a family continue even through an illness; they now are tasked with coming up with additional money to cover travel costs. Once the stem cell transplant is deemed successful, Bryan will be discharged to a hotel or a discharge facility for up to 70 days where he will be acruing lodging and meal costs. The demand for maintaining a household in Andrews and Bryan's expenses while in Houston have become too much for my sister to bear on her own. Bryan has not been able to work and has not received a paycheck since June. Bryan is ineligible for any and all types of disability at this point. Bryan will not be eligible for Social Security disabilty until 1 year post diagnosis. My sister is holding everything together on her own. She goes to work everyday to ensure the children in our community are safe and we owe it to her to help make sure my precious nephews have everything they need. What you may not know is that my sister and Bryan divorced in Decemeber but have made the decision to have him move back in with her and the boys in efforts to save money and to ensure Bryan is surrounded by love when he is able to come home.
When people we know and love become diagnosed with cancer, we often are so overcome with grief and sadness that we do not think about this side of it. We want so badly for Bryan to be ok and come out of this stronger and better than ever. I know Andrews is a giving and caring community;I have seen it first hand so please open your hearts and give what you can to this family who needs you.
With Love and Gratitude,
Jaime Graham