Hello everyone, I am fundraising for my Sister-In-Law (Abby Piskel Valentine) and Brother -In-Law (Nick Valentine) to help them in the hardest, most exhausting, and extremely stressful fight of their lives. Abby has been battling leukemia for over 13 months and will need to continue to receive treatment for the foreseeable future. Many people have asked what can I do; how can I help? Pray, love your family and friends, don’t take anything in life for granted….and if you are able, please donate to help Abby and her family as they navigate the uncertainty of this challenging road to a cure. They will use any financial assistance to supplement Abby’s reduced income, pay medical bills, and allow Nick the possibility of taking extended time off to be fully present for Abby's future treatment plan.

Abby's Full Story:

July 10, 2022 ....

It started out as a headache. After a trip to the ER and some bloodwork, Abby received the shocking news that would turn her world upside-down… Cancer. Abby was only 28 and about to get married in 2 months. Her bachelorette party was scheduled for that weekend. They were planning a trip to Hawaii for their honeymoon. Instead of Abby and Nick finalizing their wedding, honeymoon, and enjoying their bachelor and bachelorette parties, they were deciding between cancer treatment and the possibility of having kids. Taking in so much information about cancer and cancer treatment and how it would change their lives forever.

All of their plans were thrown out the window when Abby was admitted to the hospital that very day and started chemo treatments right away - even before waiting for an official diagnosis. She was diagnosed with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After completing a two-week hospital stay and starting her induction chemotherapy regimen, she was able to return home on July 23,2022. Abby and Nick had a backyard wedding the next day. Abby continued to receive chemo treatments and countless appointments to check bloodwork. She was poked, prodded, bruised, and had countless bone marrow biopsies, intrathecal chemo spinal injections and numerous trips to the ER. After the induction phase of treatment, things were looking up and she achieved remission in August of 2022. On Abby's 29th birthday she received a bone marrow transplant, with her sister as her donor. Treatment was extremely tough, "Her Personal Hell on Earth,” but after four weeks in the hospital, she got to ring the bell. It was supposed to be the cure. We thought this would all be behind her.

However, in April of 2023, they discovered Abby had a rare bacterial infection in her bone marrow and the transplant was no longer working. After two bone marrow biopsies, they heard the terrible words “the cancer is back”. She will have to get more treatment and cell therapy. 

Abby is currently in the hospital for more treatment. Her most recent bone marrow biopsy left her with a nasty bruise and results that showed more leukemia cells than when she relapsed. She is now starting almost completely from scratch with another round (or multiple rounds) of immunotherapy and ANOTHER bone marrow transplant or cell therapy. 

Through all of this, Abby has been extremely strong. She holds her head high and is a positive warrior who lives by the phrase “I can do hard things”.

In addition to a direct monetary donation for Abby, you may also help Abby’s battle by donating blood, platelets, becoming a bone marrow donor through bethematch.org, or donating to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Every contribution is greatly appreciated.