Elliott Sitz

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

Elliott at the hospital's koi pond shortly before the transplant, when he lost all his hair again.

Elliott was diagnosed with Acute T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia in the ER last Halloween. The doctors gave him about two weeks to live.

This year, on August 4 he received a stem cell transplant, which has been largely successful. He is on day 54 of his first 100 days of observation at the hospital.

Transplant candidates must have two caregivers, and Ken (Elliott's dad) and I are filling that role. It has required us to stay in a hotel for another month, and a day or two each week through the ensuing months. Since the transplant our hotel bills have been around $4000 a month. There have been all kinds of incidental costs, including preparing our house for Elliott to come home. It has to be a near sterile environment so we’re spending a lot of money bringing the house up to “code,” buying separate dishware, towels, and new heavy duty cleaning supplies.

My husband and I are both on social security. We’ve dipped deeply into our savings, which we are lucky to have had. Though we can survive this, we would welcome help with some of this heavy lifting. Everyone has been so kind to us that we hate to ask. If you can’t give, please know your friendship and previous support has been sustaining for us.

Best,

Teresa Sitz

UPDATE AUGUST 2023

Elliott entered the hospital at City of Hope in Duarte about two weeks. He had a stem cell transplant 11 days ago. The first few days were very hard, but Elliott is now more settled. The chemo they gave him to kill his immune system has been hard on him, and today his nurse shaved his head as his hair was falling out again.

I'm living in a hotel nearby, which is expensive. When Elliott's white blood count begins to rise, and he's starting to heal, he'll be discharged from the hospital. We'll then move to the COH campus hotel for two months. Insurance covers that expense.

Your friendship and concern have helped us through this ordeal and we are so grateful to everyone in our communities. Some of our friends have revived this fundraiser so I am updating the information. Thank you, everyone. We're hoping by the end of the year we'll be able to get together again with some of you.

NOVEMBER 2022

Our son, Elliott Sitz, was diagnosed with leukemia last week and rushed in the night to Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas. They have a great oncology program.

He has health insurance but the incidental expenses have been substantial. If you'd like to help out, it's appreciated. Your friendship and support have already meant so much to us.