On March 2nd, 2019, my mother-in-law Gina DeMaria was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia), a rare cancer of the bone marrow and blood.
Gina’s symptoms initially started in September of 2018, with her finding that she’d bruise very easily, and constantly feel weak, dizzy and tired. Initially, her doctors blamed her pain and flu-like symptoms on her Fibromyalgia or chronic pain caused by past car accidents. However, their concerns grew as blood tests showed severe anemia. Her symptoms persisted, and on December 28th, 2018, Gina was diagnosed with Primary Myleofibrosis. Her doctors were hopeful that they had caught it early, and started her on a drug known as Jakafi. Gina initially felt better, and her labs started showing improvement. However, her improvement was short-lived, and she fell quite ill in mid-February; ultimately causing her to cancel her daughters 7th birthday party, and miss her son Josh’s wedding, and soon after, be admitted into the hospital on February 17th. She then fought though high fevers, sepsis, a mini heart attack, underwent numerous tests, blood transfusions, and bone marrow biopsies; and on March 2nd, our worst fears were confirmed, with her being diagnosed with AML. Her significant other Carley was told that she was the sickest person in Fresno Kaiser’s ICU, and she was quickly transferred to Santa Clara Kaiser to start treatment. She would go on to spend 71 out of the next 87 days away from her 7 year old daughter, her pets, her home, and her life as she knew it.
Gina has fought incredibly hard, and on May 14th she discovered her months of treatment paid off, with her doctors saying she was officially in remission! On May 15th, Gina started the process of preparing for a stem cell transplant with her Stanford medical team- as this is the only known cure of AML. On May 22nd, we received more wonderful news- Gina had 4 perfect donors located, and she is now scheduled to go in for her Stem cell transplant at the end of June.
This is where we need your help! Gina has been told that she will yet again be required to be away from her home and young daughter— this time for a minimum of 100 days. During her first month away she will be admitted to Stanford hospital, followed by two months of living in a close by apartment, where she will go in to the hospital for frequent testing and check ups. While we are very blessed to have Gina’s medical expenses fully covered by Kaiser, Gina and Carley will need assistance paying for her share of her Stanford housing, food, utilities and living expenses; along with continuing to pay their mortgage and other expected and normal bills.
For those of you who don’t know Gina- she is a wonderful person, a loving partner to Carley, an incredible mother to 7 year old Arabella and 28 year old Josh, (and great mother in law!) a wonderful fur mama to her cat Tigger, and dogs Olaf and Atticus; a brave fighter, a loyal and caring friend to many, and generous and giving person, who spent many years working to help change people’s lives for the better as a Drug and Alcohol counselor. Please consider donating to this go fund me to help show her your love and support! If you are unable to donate, please like, share, and send love and prayers her way. ❤️
Below are some links about AML and Stem Cell Transplants for those who are curious:
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant/process.html
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/acute-myeloid-leukemia/about/what-is-aml.html
Gina’s symptoms initially started in September of 2018, with her finding that she’d bruise very easily, and constantly feel weak, dizzy and tired. Initially, her doctors blamed her pain and flu-like symptoms on her Fibromyalgia or chronic pain caused by past car accidents. However, their concerns grew as blood tests showed severe anemia. Her symptoms persisted, and on December 28th, 2018, Gina was diagnosed with Primary Myleofibrosis. Her doctors were hopeful that they had caught it early, and started her on a drug known as Jakafi. Gina initially felt better, and her labs started showing improvement. However, her improvement was short-lived, and she fell quite ill in mid-February; ultimately causing her to cancel her daughters 7th birthday party, and miss her son Josh’s wedding, and soon after, be admitted into the hospital on February 17th. She then fought though high fevers, sepsis, a mini heart attack, underwent numerous tests, blood transfusions, and bone marrow biopsies; and on March 2nd, our worst fears were confirmed, with her being diagnosed with AML. Her significant other Carley was told that she was the sickest person in Fresno Kaiser’s ICU, and she was quickly transferred to Santa Clara Kaiser to start treatment. She would go on to spend 71 out of the next 87 days away from her 7 year old daughter, her pets, her home, and her life as she knew it.
Gina has fought incredibly hard, and on May 14th she discovered her months of treatment paid off, with her doctors saying she was officially in remission! On May 15th, Gina started the process of preparing for a stem cell transplant with her Stanford medical team- as this is the only known cure of AML. On May 22nd, we received more wonderful news- Gina had 4 perfect donors located, and she is now scheduled to go in for her Stem cell transplant at the end of June.
This is where we need your help! Gina has been told that she will yet again be required to be away from her home and young daughter— this time for a minimum of 100 days. During her first month away she will be admitted to Stanford hospital, followed by two months of living in a close by apartment, where she will go in to the hospital for frequent testing and check ups. While we are very blessed to have Gina’s medical expenses fully covered by Kaiser, Gina and Carley will need assistance paying for her share of her Stanford housing, food, utilities and living expenses; along with continuing to pay their mortgage and other expected and normal bills.
For those of you who don’t know Gina- she is a wonderful person, a loving partner to Carley, an incredible mother to 7 year old Arabella and 28 year old Josh, (and great mother in law!) a wonderful fur mama to her cat Tigger, and dogs Olaf and Atticus; a brave fighter, a loyal and caring friend to many, and generous and giving person, who spent many years working to help change people’s lives for the better as a Drug and Alcohol counselor. Please consider donating to this go fund me to help show her your love and support! If you are unable to donate, please like, share, and send love and prayers her way. ❤️
Below are some links about AML and Stem Cell Transplants for those who are curious:
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant/process.html
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/acute-myeloid-leukemia/about/what-is-aml.html