Brian Delaney Transplant

 Friends and family of Brian and Kristy Delaney.  As you likely know, Brian has been battling Multiple Myeloma for the last several years. Unfortunately, last week Brian learned his cancer markers have escalated despite being on chemotherapy and he’s in immediate need of a specialized transplant.  Brian and his family need your help.

  Many of you might know that Brian has gone through two other traditional stem cell transplants in the last nine years - these are VERY difficult to endure and very hard on patients and their families.  Unfortunately, Brian can no longer tolerate the chemotherapy regimen he has been on due to heart failure risks.   There is hope, though.  Brian and Kristy, along with Brian’s healthcare team, have researched and found a clinical trial program in Seattle using a new technique (CAR-T Therapy - see below) as a potential cure (or remission) to Brian’s cancer.  

  The Delaney’s are hopeful and grateful for this opportunity.  Unfortunately, it’s going to require their lives to be turned upside down (yet again) physically, emotionally, mentally and financially.  Brian will need full time care in Seattle for at least 8-10 weeks while he undergoes preparations for the transplant using this new therapy.  The family has found an apartment suited and built for transplant patients within a mile of the hospital.  The rates are far below “market prices” but far above the Delaney’s ability to endure under present circumstances.  As you can imagine, it is very difficult, and humbling to be in such a prediction.  Many of the Delaney’s friends, colleagues and family have asked how they might help.  

 We need your help!  Our goal is to raise $8,000.00 - enough money to pay for the apartment and traveling expenses to and from Seattle.  Right now, the Delaney’s are scrambling to coordinate caregivers, childcare, transportation, etc. to meet the day-to-day activities at home in Kansas City as well as Brian’s needs in Seattle.  It’s never easy to ask and it’s not easy to accept help either, but I know those of us that care and love this family will do everything we can to carry them through this difficult time.  

   Time is of the essence, and Brian is scheduled to leave for Seattle on August 27.  Would you please consider contributing to help the Delaney’s?  No donation is too small and the family is beyond appreciative for the generosity and love of everyone.

   A quick summary of CAR-T therapy:  In general terms, the “T” cells in our body are supposed to be the “soldiers” of our immune system and recognize abnormalities (cancer cells) and attach to and destroy them.  Cancer cells hide and mask themselves so these T cells can’t recognize them.  CAR-T therapy restores a T cells ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells by removing the T cells from the patient, re-engineering them to restore their purpose, and then transplanting them back into the patient so they can properly patrol the body and kill the cancer cells.  This is the innovative technology that is being performed at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.