In mid November, my brother Daniel, age 35, went to the ER thinking he had pneumonia. Instead, he was told he had leukemia and that it was critical he get care immediately. Just a few hours later was airlifted out of Grand Junction, CO to the Huntsman Cancer Institute ICU unit in Salt Lake City. 

Once in Salt Lake Daniel was diagnosed with Philadelphia Positive Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Since then Daniel has undergone an aggressive chemotherapy regimen with the goal of reaching remission and an eventual stem cell transplant. On January 2nd we received word that a stem cell donor match was found AND that his body was in remission.

Today we were given a loose timeline of what to expect in the coming days and years of Daniel’s care.

*Intense stem cell prep chemo and full body radiation
*Actual Stem Cell Transplant
*100 days post transplant in Salt Lake within 30 minutes of Huntsman at all times
*First year post transplant-at least once a month labs and appointments at Huntsman
*Year 2 Post Transplant- labs and appointments at Huntsman every few months
*Years 2-5 Oral Chemo

My parents, Bob and Kathy are the primary caregivers for my brother and they have been living in a hotel for the past three months as they care for Daniel. Salt Lake is over 250 miles from their home in Colorado and housing and transportation costs are mounting. Although medical insurance should cover much of the cost of Daniel’s medical care, the cost of living in another city for an extended period of time is a big financial burden.

Any donations will be used for transportation, housing, meals, and unanticipated medical costs.