As some of you may know, my father, Dean, was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia earlier this year in May. Thankfully and miraculously, Myelofibrosis is a curable type of leukemia. The cure is a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT), also known as a Stem Cell Transplant. Research has come such a long way in the last 70 years of BMTs and we are extremely optimistic that my dad will make a full recovery and regain a high quality of life after the transplant.

While we are incredibly grateful for the health insurance coverage presently available to cover the transplant cost, we do have an immense need for monetary assistance to ensure Dean is able to receive this life-saving treatment and maintain his daily expenses while focusing on his healing and recovery.

Due to this diagnosis, Dean has been unable to work since May and the disability insurance payments have been inconsistent at times, causing lapses in payment and creating financial stress and burdens that are negatively impacting his health and his ability to focus on healing. The disability payments are not allowing him to meet all of his basic needs, utility payments and daily cost of living expenses. We need your help now more than ever.

Dean and I, his caregiver, are required to reside within 15 minutes of the University of Arizona Cancer Center for the duration of the transplant and recovery, which is a period of about 6 months. The doctors require this relocation for frequent health monitoring and blood work and in the event of an infection or health emergency. The loss of wages for Dean and his caregivers (my siblings and I) during this 6 month treatment period, along with the cost of daily expenses, travel expenses and relocation expenses are simply beyond our financial capabilities due to this sudden diagnosis. Given Dean's immunocompromised state following the transplant, the caregivers that are required to monitor Dean around the clock must quarantine to prevent pathogen exposure and infection during the recovery period. These circumstances make it impossible for us to maintain employment while assisting our Dad in his recovery. Needless to say, we would do anything to ensure our Dad's best chance of survival throughout this life-saving process which is why we are asking you, our community, for help.

A little bit about Dean- where do I even start? From his adventurous spirit, racing dirt bikes from such a young age, to his love of music and playing guitar, along with his dedication to his family all these years, there hasn't been a stronger, more rad dude to grace this Earth in my lifetime. Watching my Dad become a grandfather, aka Papa, has been the biggest blessing for our entire family. Sadie, Enzo, Valon and Rylan have experienced a version of my Dad that I can only hope my future children will get to experience too. There are so many things that our family has yet to experience together and all I can pray for is that my Dad gets even a few more years with us through receiving this treatment.

Dean began chemotherapy infusions on July 7th, 2025 and is currently undergoing his third round of chemotherapy as of September. The strength he has shown throughout the countless procedures, IVs, blood draws, tests and the unrelenting bone pain has been, for lack of a better word, inspiring. I could not be more proud of my Dad. As Dean continues to complete the preliminary scans necessary to begin the Bone Marrow Transplant, we are getting more and more excited at the promise of his cure. Thank you for taking the time to read this and please consider donating anything you can, sharing this fundraiser, and keeping our family in your prayers, because anything and everything helps.