Beat Down(s) Cancer
Donation protected
Beat Down(s) Cancer
Many of you have asked how to support our brother, Keith Downs, during this unbelievably challenging time for our family.
Our 49 year old “baby brother”, Keith, was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called, Multiple Myeloma (MM). After many months of excruciating pain in his shoulders, hips, and lower back, Keith underwent numerous X-rays and bloodwork to find out what was causing this pain along with sleepless nights. As a result, Keith was diagnosed with MM. MM is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell and there is no cure. Only 200K people per year are diagnosed with this form of cancer. The disease damages the bones, immune system, kidneys, and red blood cell count; all of which have been impacted in Keith’s body. Keith and his family have a very long, difficult road ahead. There are 3 stages of MM. Keith is stage 2, and without a Stem Cell Transplant, the average life expectancy is only 44 months, but we’re hoping with aggressive treatment and new drug options Keith will beat the odds.
Keith is a hard-working, loving husband and dedicated father of three young boys, ages 14, 12, and 9. His boys are at such a crucial age when they need their Dad. Keith has enjoyed coaching his boys in their sports throughout the years and is devoted to his family. Keith worked at Dallastown High School for 20 years as a high school teacher and Assistant Principal. Keith is currently the Principal at South Western High School, where he’s been for the last four years. He is a genuine, caring, and dedicated educator that has spent his career helping students and families. Keith has also been working hard pursuing his Doctorate degree, and is only 2 classes away from starting his dissertation. Keith has always lived a healthy, safe, and humble life.
This month Keith will turn 50 and also celebrate his 17th wedding anniversary with his wife, Lisa. We want to do everything we can to make sure Keith has a long life ahead and can celebrate many more birthdays and anniversaries. Our goal is to raise $50K (50K for 50 years) for his treatments to ensure his best chance at a long life.
Keith’s chemotherapy began last week, and he has a very long road ahead. Keith and Lisa are discovering their insurance does not cover everything. In the future months, Keith may need to travel back and forth to Johns Hopkins for treatments. Keith’s best chance to put the cancer in a long remission is to receive a Stem Cell Transplant. He would need to stay in the hospital for 10-12 weeks when he receives this treatment, which on average can cost over $800,000. Our family is doing everything we can to help Keith, his wife, and 3 young boys.
We appreciate if you could continue to share this information, shower Keith/his family with loving thoughts, messages, support and prayers. Any and every contribution is appreciated, and no donation is too small. Keith and his family are so appreciative, grateful, and thankful by the outpouring support they’ve received already. It has inspired and motivated Keith to stay strong and keep fighting to Beat Down(s) Cancer!
We love our brother so much and are devastated! Our lives were turned upside down with this tragic news. We are Keith’s older siblings and are willing to do whatever it takes to give him a longer life, including donating bone marrow, blood, plasma, and anything needed to help him. We also want to help ease the financial burden and heartbreak in the months to come. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” -Helen Keller
With gratitude,
Kandy, Kelly, & Kevin (Keith’s siblings)
Many of you have asked how to support our brother, Keith Downs, during this unbelievably challenging time for our family.
Our 49 year old “baby brother”, Keith, was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called, Multiple Myeloma (MM). After many months of excruciating pain in his shoulders, hips, and lower back, Keith underwent numerous X-rays and bloodwork to find out what was causing this pain along with sleepless nights. As a result, Keith was diagnosed with MM. MM is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell and there is no cure. Only 200K people per year are diagnosed with this form of cancer. The disease damages the bones, immune system, kidneys, and red blood cell count; all of which have been impacted in Keith’s body. Keith and his family have a very long, difficult road ahead. There are 3 stages of MM. Keith is stage 2, and without a Stem Cell Transplant, the average life expectancy is only 44 months, but we’re hoping with aggressive treatment and new drug options Keith will beat the odds.
Keith is a hard-working, loving husband and dedicated father of three young boys, ages 14, 12, and 9. His boys are at such a crucial age when they need their Dad. Keith has enjoyed coaching his boys in their sports throughout the years and is devoted to his family. Keith worked at Dallastown High School for 20 years as a high school teacher and Assistant Principal. Keith is currently the Principal at South Western High School, where he’s been for the last four years. He is a genuine, caring, and dedicated educator that has spent his career helping students and families. Keith has also been working hard pursuing his Doctorate degree, and is only 2 classes away from starting his dissertation. Keith has always lived a healthy, safe, and humble life.
This month Keith will turn 50 and also celebrate his 17th wedding anniversary with his wife, Lisa. We want to do everything we can to make sure Keith has a long life ahead and can celebrate many more birthdays and anniversaries. Our goal is to raise $50K (50K for 50 years) for his treatments to ensure his best chance at a long life.
Keith’s chemotherapy began last week, and he has a very long road ahead. Keith and Lisa are discovering their insurance does not cover everything. In the future months, Keith may need to travel back and forth to Johns Hopkins for treatments. Keith’s best chance to put the cancer in a long remission is to receive a Stem Cell Transplant. He would need to stay in the hospital for 10-12 weeks when he receives this treatment, which on average can cost over $800,000. Our family is doing everything we can to help Keith, his wife, and 3 young boys.
We appreciate if you could continue to share this information, shower Keith/his family with loving thoughts, messages, support and prayers. Any and every contribution is appreciated, and no donation is too small. Keith and his family are so appreciative, grateful, and thankful by the outpouring support they’ve received already. It has inspired and motivated Keith to stay strong and keep fighting to Beat Down(s) Cancer!
We love our brother so much and are devastated! Our lives were turned upside down with this tragic news. We are Keith’s older siblings and are willing to do whatever it takes to give him a longer life, including donating bone marrow, blood, plasma, and anything needed to help him. We also want to help ease the financial burden and heartbreak in the months to come. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” -Helen Keller
With gratitude,
Kandy, Kelly, & Kevin (Keith’s siblings)
Organiser and beneficiary
Kelly King
Organiser
Felton, PA
Lisa Downs
Beneficiary
