I’ve witnessed what this amazing community of ours can do to help when one is in need, and I’m asking for help for a local hardworking mom. This is my dear friend, and a Humboldt County Employee of over 6 years. Crystal works hard helping houseless folks, and people in need. Crystal has been a single mom raising her 4 kids, while working and dealing with a non-curable cancer diagnosis. Crystal has young awesome kids at home and just became a grandma by her oldest daughter. This is her story:

I was diagnosed with Smoldering Myeloma in December 2016 after running multiple tests. I underwent 2 Bone Marrow biopsies and multiple PET scans. My doctors watched me closely over the the first 5 years, this is when the Myeloma is likely to progress. After recommendations from UC Davis and the rising of my numbers, my doctor wanted me to undergo another bone marrow biopsy and PET scan. I had a biopsy done February 14th 2023 which showed the progression of the Myeloma. It was at this time that it went from Smoldering Myeloma to an active Multiple Myeloma and now require treatments to begin. These treatments include chemo, drug therapy, steriods, and a stem cell transplant that will require me to stay in UCSF in isolation for at least a month. Multiple Myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells. In multiple myeloma, malignant plasma cells accumulate in bone marrow — the soft, spongy tissue at the center of your bones — crowding out the normal plasma cells that help fight infection.

This cancer causes lots of bone pain making it hard to walk. Before I could under go treatment I had to have major dental work done removing all my teeth. Chemo started the following week. Because of treatments and dental work I have been out of work and struggling to make ends meet between appointments and living expenses. I am having to go to UCSF for a stem cell transplant later this summer. Anything will help even sharing, praying, positive vibes, or donating to something specific like hotel stay, or gas.