My name is Anthony (or Jersey to my close friends) and I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in August 2022. Through the kindness of so many, I have been able to complete about half of my chemotherapy regimen while keeping a roof over my families’ heads. Unfortunately it has taken a toll both on my well-being as well as our finances. Each round is harder than the last, and I am still unable to work due to being immunocompromised, and weak after each round.

With what will surely be a tough holiday season, I am once more asking for help. Help to keep food in the mouths of my two children, and help to keep a roof over their heads while I finish the next half of this treatment, in an effort to get back to a normal life in which I can once again earn a living and get back to being the provider I always was before this disease. My State medical leave has been cut off, and we are at a loss as to how we’re going to get through this.

A glimpse into our world:

Once every month I have to check into UW Medical Center for a week of intensive inpatient chemotherapy. This week of inpatient care consists of round the clock blood work, constant chemo drips, steroids that spike my blood sugar, insulin shots to bring it down, and so much more. These weeks consist of hour long drives each way for my family if they want to see me during this time, as well as paid parking, meals on the go, and more expenses.

When I am finally free of the hospital bed, our weeks consist of 4 - 5 days a week traveling to the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle, about an hour each way as well, for blood draws, blood and platelet transfusions, and outpatient chemo drugs. Most days, I arrive around noon and don’t leave until 8pm or later. It is truly a full time job that I am not paid for, but rather I pay for the privilege to get this treatment.

My fiancée Kaylyn is also unable to work as she is both my round the clock caregiver (who despite being a certified medical assistant, goes unpaid due to not qualifying with the state to be paid for all that she does) as well as a full time mom of two when I am too weak from treatment to get off the couch. Just some of what she does for me includes giving me my insulin at home, driving me to and from all appointments, sitting in on oncologist visits to ask the important questions, organizing my mountain of weekly pills, and so much more.

So I ask you, beautiful and kind people of the world, to help if you can. Help me beat this disease so I can get on with my life and raise my 3 month old son who has unfortunately only ever known this kind of life, and my 6 year old daughter who I long to give a real childhood to, instead of constant visits to doctors offices and hospitals. If you can’t donate, a share goes such a long way and is completely free to do. Thank you to everyone who has already helped me and my family in some way or another, you all are truly a blessing to us.