Our dad, David Kitchens, is 46 years old. He was diagnosed with CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) in August 2011. As soon as he was diagnosed he started chemotherapy, unfortunately the rounds of chemo he received only kept the cancer under control for weeks at a time.  He has currently gone through all chemo that Winship Cancer Institute/ Emory University Hospital has to offer. The next best step for him would be a Stem Cell Transplant, however he doesn’t have a match so we are stuck waiting until we find a donor match. Thankfully his doctors believe a T-Cell Transplant (removing his stem cells, rid them of the cancer cells then give the healthy cells back to him) will work to hold him over until we can find a match for the Stem Cell Transplant. The T-Cell Transplant will require us to travel as far as Seattle, Washington. That means buying many plane tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars/ taxis, food, and of course all the bills at home don’t stop while we're gone. Our parents owned their own business for many years, unfortunately in 2014 our dad became too sick to work anymore so they closed the business. Because our mom is his caregiver and he cannot be left alone she has been unable to work also. So that has left both of us girls going to college and working to make ends meet at home. We are so thankful for you taking the time to read a little bit about our story. Prayers and thoughts are greatly appreciated and any amount you are able to donate will be extremely helpful!  If you are interested in being a Stem Cell Donor and helping save our dad’s life please sign up at BeTheMatch.org.

Thank you for your support! Love,

Emily and Kelsey Kitchens