Alex Stein's Leukemia Recovery Fund

Hello Friends-

As some of you may know, our brother Alex Stein has been battling an aggressive form of leukemia for the past year and a half. He was first diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) in April of 2021, after being hospitalized with extreme fatigue, unexplained fevers and bruising on his legs which made it painful to walk. After a few days in the hospital, he contracted pneumonia and ended up with a coma in the ICU for a month and a half, fighting for his life.

Alex was strong enough to be released to home care last June, and began months of intensive treatment aimed at getting his cancer levels down low enough that a bone marrow transplant could be attempted. He has a genetic mutation, called the Philadelphia chromosome, that makes his form of cancer especially aggressive and difficult to treat, and the transplant was his best option for long-term survival.

In December of 2021, he underwent the transplant and spent 100 days secluded at the clinic and then at home. His immune system was essentially “wiped clean” and he had to avoid exposure to anyone other than his caregivers while his body healed.

For three months the transplant appeared to have taken hold and his numbers looked good, but in April of this year he started feeling fatigued again and tests showed his cancer had returned with a vengeance. Again, he was hospitalized and ended up with pneumonia, but was able to beat it back with a strong regimen of chemotherapy and other interventions.

Throughout this ordeal, Alex has only been able to work sporadically. His employer has been amazing, accommodating long leaves of absence and reduced hours. But now Alex is facing a second bone marrow transplant, potentially in September of 2022. He is going to need another extended period of time off for treatment and recovery. Even if all goes successfully, he won’t be able to work full-time until sometime in 2023.

Alex needs our support. He has medical bills, a mortgage, and caregiver costs that far exceed his current limited income. We’re asking for your help, so that he can concentrate on the important work of healing and not worry about losing his health insurance or his housing.

We know that times are tough financially for lots of people right now, and we greatly appreciate your time and consideration in this fight for Alex. He has children who he wants to see grow up, and family and friends who love him and aren’t ready to lose him yet. Thank you so much for any support you feel able to give. We, and he, appreciate it more than you know.