Donate to Aid Mary's Fight Against MDS and Myelofibrosis

My sister Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, she was fortunate enough to catch it at stage ZERO. She underwent two surgeries and radiation and is a Breast Cancer Survivor.

Routine blood work determined her numbers were very low and continued to decrease. She had to go to a Hemoglobin specialist who was working with her to bring the numbers back up. Unfortunately, they never came up and continued to drop. She had several bone marrow biopsies

According to the bone marrow biopsy results there are like 3 issues.

1. Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a rare, under-diagnosed group of bone marrow failure disorders and cancers that affect immature blood cells in the bone marrow. In MDS, the bone marrow doesn't produce enough healthy blood cells, and abnormal cells build up in the blood and bone marrow. These abnormal cells, called blasts, take up space in the bone marrow and blood, leaving less room for healthy blood cells to grow. Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a type of rare blood cancer where you don't have enough healthy blood cells. It's also known as myelodysplasia

2. Myelofibrosis - myelofibrosis is a rare, chronic, slow-growing type of blood cancer. It's also known as a chronic leukemia, a cancer that affects the body's blood-forming tissue.

3. I have 2 mutated genes that complicate the first 2.

Mary was referred to University of Pennsylvania hospital transplant team and a doctor who specializes in MDS. It was determined the only treatment for a cure is a Stem Cell Transplant. Very fortunate for Mary, her youngest sister Susan is a PERFECT match.

She is currently going through testing that needs to be done prior to the transplant. Once a transplant date is given she will be admitted to the hospital and go through heavy doses of chemotherapy. Once the chemo is completed she will have her transplant. She is expected to be in the hospital for up to 4 weeks after the transplant. Once she is home she will be limited to visitors and will be somewhat quarantined. She will need to go to University of Pennsylvania every week for blood work to make sure her counts are good and no rejection.

Through the testing she learned she has issues with her heart and hoping that does not delay the transplant. She will also be on medication weeks before the surgery and months after the surgery. The medicine will cost her $1000 a month. Although her social worker is trying to get a grant to cover some of the cost, every little bit will help her.

**UPDATE** - Mary learned this week insurance is denying the medicine so the cost is $13,000 a month. She is still working with the social worker to see if they can work directly with the pharmaceutical company to obtain for a reasonable price***

During her time in the hospital and at home she will be on disability from work and will not be bringing in a full salary. In addition she will be incurring medical bills. Her extended family is currently working on a benefit to help financial support Mary.

Any donations for Mary would be greatly appreciated.

**UPDATE** Mary will be going into the hospital on 11/15, she will receive four days of heavy chemo a day off and then full body radiation. The day after radiation she will receive the stem cell from her sister. She will be in the hospital for over a month after the transplant.

**11/25 UPDATE - Mary received her stemcell transplant and so far she is doing ok. They are watching her blood platelet and white cells. White cells are down to .2 and platelets are 90, red count is 7.2. She received a couple of blood transfusions, which brought the count up to 7.2, anything under 7 they will continue to give her transfusions. They said she will start feeling really sick within 7-10 days from transplant so she is expecting to start feeling really bad before she feels better. She will continue to fight!!!

She and our family is so humbled by the generous donations. Thank you all so very much!!