David Burns Transplant Fund

In 2009 Dave was rediagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He had first been diagnosed in the early 1990s when Dave was in his 30s. The news came to us just days before our 2nd wedding anniversary. Dave was 55 years old - he had been cancer-free for the past 14 years. Having received 2 prior transplants back in the 90s - one using his own cells, the next from a MUD donor (Matched Unrelated Donor) - Dave received a Donor Lymphocyte Infusion in 2009. That lasted one year. He received his 3rd full transplant in September 2012. His counts have been great since the latest transplant. Shortly after the new year Dave developed a persistent cough that was soon diagnosed as heart failure. He has been in and out of the hospital the last few weeks, including a few trips to the ER via ambulance due to his passing out from weakness. We have determined that not only has Dave been hospitalized 10 out of the last 12 mo. he has also lost a total of 50 lbs. over the last few years. Unfortunately, with regard to the transplant and now the heart issue, the bills keep coming. Dave is on about 8 different medications for his heart and both his transplant and cardiac doctor are located at Temple University Hospital which require many, right now weekly, trips to Philadelphia which is a 3-hour trip for us one-way. A fund was established in Dave's name back in 2009 and a majority of those funds have been used to date. Dave and I have no connection to the fund, other than it helps us to pay Dave's medical bills. Four area residents came together to establish the fund and act as trustees/signers. It is located at Northumberland National Bank, 87 Lori Lane, Selinsgrove, PA 17870. We are asking that all donations go directly into the fund to be distributed to us as needed to continue to pay bills. Thank you!