Housing and living expenses

My name is Keith De Peralta. I was born and raised on a sugar plantation, in Hawaii, on the island of Kauai. I became a single parent of two adopted children after my wife of 22 years lost her battle to breast cancer. I am an honorably discharged Vietnam veteran, and a 37-year civil service employee. I am also an avid volunteer with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters mentorship program and a born-again Christian with Hope Chapel, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.      In December 2013, I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called “multiple myeloma,” a blood disorder related to lymphoma and leukemia which typically arises in bone marrow.  There is no cure for multiple myeloma. As it progresses, plasma cells begin to spill out of the bone marrow and deposit elsewhere in the body, causing organ damage, and eventual death.      I met with my oncologist in January 2014 to inquire about any other alternatives in treating this rare cancer. There were only two choices, one of which was to continue my weekly chemotherapy treatment for the rest of my life. The other was to undergo a stem cell transplantation which is only done in the states.     After consulting with my children, family and friends, I decided on the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) Fred Hutchinson Research Center in Seattle, Washington to undergo stem cell transplantation.The initial treatment and recovery phase will last up to four months. But there is also the possibility that my treatment and/or recovery time could be extended, depending on the doctor’s decision.      It came as a great relief when my insurance company approved my cancer treatments. Unfortunately, it doesn’t cover my housing and living expenses. The monthly cost of my apartment unit at SCCA House is a whopping $2,700.00. On the other hand, my living expenses are only around $200.00 a month as I try to live very frugally.       I don’t have a set goal for donations as my treatment and recovery could very well go beyond the initial four months. I truly appreciate any donations, no matter how small, along with your prayers to help me during my efforts to fight this terrible disease.     In Hawaii, we say, “Mahalo Nui Loa,” which means, “Thank you very much.”     Aloha, Keith