Help Dan conquer Cancer

 

Please Help Dan in his Fight Against Cancer!
Dan Rocco Stem Cell Transplant Support Fund

Dan Rocco was diagnosed with a rare form of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ph+ B Cell - a form of blood/bone marrow cancer) on May 10, 2016.  Since his diagnosis, he was immediately sent to the hospital for 22 days.  He has been in and out of Yale Smilow Hospital receiving aggressive Chemotherapy treatment to arrest his cancer cells.  Although Dan's treatments have been extremely taxing, his perseverance and spirits remain high! :)))

After learning Dan’s brother Tony is a 100% match and if all testing goes as planned, Dan will be undergoing an Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant at Yale Smilow Hospital early this fall.  During this time, Dan will be in the hospital again for approximately one month and then the recovery at home is longer in order to re-build his new blood making and immune system.  

Unfortunately, Dan hasn’t been able to work since May. Although his company has been initially generous with him, Dan works on a salary plus commission basis which has come to an unexpected halt.  They will no longer be able to keep him employed.  Unfortunately,  the financial constraints will be growing but with your kind help Dan can overcome some of these obstacles which will allow him to focus mainly on his recovery.

It's with heartfelt humility that I  reach out and ask for your help.   At this time,  Dan has completed his fifth round of chemotherapy treatments, eight spinal taps and bone marrow biopsies.  The next major step in his protocol is the bone marrow transplant, which is a complicated, lengthy and risky procedure.   Recovery at home will be a particularly sensitive time for his blood counts and immune system.

Dan lives in Trumbull CT with his two wonderful girls. Ellie is a Junior in High School and Sarah is in 8th grade.
The girls have really stepped up with support and compassion for their Dad in the home.  The Roccos have always been a very giving family.  Dan has raised many thousands of dollars doing Triathlons with Team in Training (LLS) over the years, and is an active Wish Granter with Make a Wish in Southern CT.  His girls regularly donate their time and efforts with many cancer fighting organizations, benevolent youth groups and local soup kitchens. 

Dan is expected to be out of work for as long as it takes for him to recover.  When he is back to work full time, we will close this GoFundMe account and donate any extra monies to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Yale Smilow Fund.  My mission is to help Dan’s family stay strong and focus on treatment and healing during this difficult time.

Together with all of your help, we can assist in lessening the Rocco’s financial burden.  Thank you in advance for your generous and heartfelt donation! 

My most sincere appreciation,
Julie Portnoy