In April of 2021, Denny was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. Multiple Myeloma is an incurable cancer, but it can be treated. It forms in plasma cells, which help to make antibodies that fight infections. Cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells. The disease can damage the bones, immune system, kidneys, and red blood cell count.

Denny underwent one radiation treatment and just completed his 4th round of chemotherapy. He has temporarily stopped these treatments which will allow for the harvesting of his stem cells in anticipation for a bone marrow transplant. The process of the harvesting, filtering, and transplanting of healthy stem cells will take place in Iowa City. The treatment journey in Iowa City begins July 29th and can last until mid September (minus a short time at home during the filtration process) if scheduling does not become an issue.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 the Hope Lodge is not currently a resource that can be utilized during their stay so during the harvesting process Denny and Lori will be staying at a hotel at their own expense. During the transplant and the 30 days following, Lori will be staying in a hotel as well.

Following dismissal from Iowa City, Denny will be in quarantine at home for approximately 60 days to allow his body the opportunity to build a healthy immune system. Treatment following this time will depend on the success of the transplant. Denny will receive bone enhancing injections for the rest of his life.

The cost of treating this type of cancer is astronomical. In addition to high and constantly fluctuating out-of pocket medical and prescription costs, other expenses include food and lodging during treatments, as well as travel to and from Ames for treatments outside of the transplant and travel to and from Iowa City for the various steps of the transplant process.

Denny is lucky to have a great family including his wife, Lori, 3 children, and 8 grandchildren and a host of other family and friends, supporting him as well as a world-class medical team leading his treatments. Your contribution will directly support Denny’s costs related to his Multiple Myeloma diagnosis, allowing him to concentrate on the tough physical and emotional challenges ahead.

THANK YOU for being amongst Denny’s support system -- we know the friends he has made and the community he has lived in for many many years will be standing by him during this fight.