Medical Fundraising
Donation protected
My name is Francisco A. Cruz, Jr. (aka Frank/Doma) married to Judy Duenas (Kayoung) Cruz. We have six (6) children and twenty-three (23) grandchildren and we are from the Island of Guam.
I want to tell you about my life journey for the past four months of fighting this deadly disease. In September 2018, I was transitioning from my job at Reylant Global Company, which I held for two years without taking a vacation or sick days off.
During the transition, I got sick with a high fever, night sweats, and neck pain. My wife took me to the doctor and was prescribed muscle relaxers and antibiotics. Then I felt a lump on the left side of my neck, I went for a second doctor's visit and was prescribed more antibiotics, but medications didn't help all the while my sickness progressed.
On October 15, I was supposed to start on my new job but was too sick. The next day I contacted my wife who was in the Philippines for my daughter's surgery to inform her that I was in the hospital. On October 16, I have diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) cancer and a bad case of pneumonia. The news was devastating, and our lives changed instantly. The next day, we were told that we had to leave the island as soon as possible to seek advanced treatment at Straub Medical Center in Honolulu HI due to the lack of resources. With this travel, we not only had to pay for our tickets but needed to pay for a nurse's escort round trip ticket as well.
Once I was admitted to Straub Medical Center's Oncology department, numerous doctors saw me and I endured many unpleasant procedures. During the three months admitted to Straub Medical Center, I underwent 2 induction chemo treatment and to date received 29 blood and 45 platelet transfusions, MRI of the brain, CT scan, and a considerable amount of medications, to include Midostaurin (specifically for AML cancer) that cost $8,000 for a month supply, but thankfully was covered by our insurance. During this time, I also had my appendix removed, was on a ventilator, had a tracheostomy, and several bone marrow biopsies.
Despite all of the medications and treatment, test results have shown more cancer cells than what was initially visible. The oncologist has recommended this medication, Gilteritinib (Xospata), pill format, as the next form of treatment. A month supply of pills will cost approximately $23,864.00 and on January 11, 2019, we were informed by our insurance provider, that the Gilteritinib (Xospata) medication is not covered. You can imagine how devastating that news was.
With all that my family, and I are going through, I am still fighting this battle. We have been here for three months, and we want to win this battle. We cannot move forward because we don't have the resources to pay for the medication. We have genuinely exhausted all our savings and remedies from my family. I am humbly asking for your help in fighting this battle through the support of prayers and any financial contribution. Please help me win this fight. I want to thank everyone in advance for their love, support, thoughts, and prayers during this difficult time.
From our hearts to yours, thank you so much.
Mr. & Mrs. Frank A. Cruz, Jr.
I want to tell you about my life journey for the past four months of fighting this deadly disease. In September 2018, I was transitioning from my job at Reylant Global Company, which I held for two years without taking a vacation or sick days off.
During the transition, I got sick with a high fever, night sweats, and neck pain. My wife took me to the doctor and was prescribed muscle relaxers and antibiotics. Then I felt a lump on the left side of my neck, I went for a second doctor's visit and was prescribed more antibiotics, but medications didn't help all the while my sickness progressed.
On October 15, I was supposed to start on my new job but was too sick. The next day I contacted my wife who was in the Philippines for my daughter's surgery to inform her that I was in the hospital. On October 16, I have diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) cancer and a bad case of pneumonia. The news was devastating, and our lives changed instantly. The next day, we were told that we had to leave the island as soon as possible to seek advanced treatment at Straub Medical Center in Honolulu HI due to the lack of resources. With this travel, we not only had to pay for our tickets but needed to pay for a nurse's escort round trip ticket as well.
Once I was admitted to Straub Medical Center's Oncology department, numerous doctors saw me and I endured many unpleasant procedures. During the three months admitted to Straub Medical Center, I underwent 2 induction chemo treatment and to date received 29 blood and 45 platelet transfusions, MRI of the brain, CT scan, and a considerable amount of medications, to include Midostaurin (specifically for AML cancer) that cost $8,000 for a month supply, but thankfully was covered by our insurance. During this time, I also had my appendix removed, was on a ventilator, had a tracheostomy, and several bone marrow biopsies.
Despite all of the medications and treatment, test results have shown more cancer cells than what was initially visible. The oncologist has recommended this medication, Gilteritinib (Xospata), pill format, as the next form of treatment. A month supply of pills will cost approximately $23,864.00 and on January 11, 2019, we were informed by our insurance provider, that the Gilteritinib (Xospata) medication is not covered. You can imagine how devastating that news was.
With all that my family, and I are going through, I am still fighting this battle. We have been here for three months, and we want to win this battle. We cannot move forward because we don't have the resources to pay for the medication. We have genuinely exhausted all our savings and remedies from my family. I am humbly asking for your help in fighting this battle through the support of prayers and any financial contribution. Please help me win this fight. I want to thank everyone in advance for their love, support, thoughts, and prayers during this difficult time.
From our hearts to yours, thank you so much.
Mr. & Mrs. Frank A. Cruz, Jr.
Organizer and beneficiary
Judy Cruz
Organizer
Honolulu, HI
Judy Cruz
Beneficiary