Support Dean-Stem Cell Transplant
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Hi everyone,
Dean's friends and family are doing a Go Fund Me fundraiser to help him during a challenging time.
Many of you may have not known, but Dean was diagnosed with Polycythemia back in 2006. Polycythemia is a slow-growing blood cancer in which your bone marrow makes too many red blood cells. This means that these excess cells thicken your blood thus slowing its flow. They also cause complications, such as blood clots, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Since his diagnosis, Dean has been having monthly phlebotomy treatments to keep his blood count in check along with oral Chemo pills. Over time, in some cases there's a risk of progressing to more-serious blood cancers, such as myelofibrosis or acute leukemia. For 11 yrs Dean and his team of doctors have been able to maintain a certain level of control.
However, earlier this year the Polycythemia progressed to Myelofribrosis ( Chronic Leukemia). Myelofibrosis is a serious bone marrow disorder that disrupts your body's normal production of blood cells. The result is extensive scarring in your bone marrow, leading to severe anemia, weakness, fatigue and often an enlarged spleen. Many people with myelofibrosis get progressively worse, and some may eventually develop a more serious form of leukemia.
The next step is now to receive an Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation. This is when the stem cell transplantation has to be given by a suitable donor. It is the only treatment that has the potential to cure myelofibrosis. But it also has a high risk of life threatening side effects. Prior to the stem cell transplant, also called a bone marrow transplant, Dean will receive very high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to destroy his diseased bone marrow. Once he is through that step he will receive infusions of stem cells from a compatible donor.
This is where our support can help Dean get through this experience with the least burden as possible. Dean will be leaving for Ottawa soon and will have to stay for 3months. He will have expensive lodging, meals, and traveling to deal with. If we can help aleviate some of this pressure then Dean can focus on fighting this Cancer and feeling at ease knowing that his family and home are being taken care of.
Dean's friends and family are doing a Go Fund Me fundraiser to help him during a challenging time.
Many of you may have not known, but Dean was diagnosed with Polycythemia back in 2006. Polycythemia is a slow-growing blood cancer in which your bone marrow makes too many red blood cells. This means that these excess cells thicken your blood thus slowing its flow. They also cause complications, such as blood clots, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Since his diagnosis, Dean has been having monthly phlebotomy treatments to keep his blood count in check along with oral Chemo pills. Over time, in some cases there's a risk of progressing to more-serious blood cancers, such as myelofibrosis or acute leukemia. For 11 yrs Dean and his team of doctors have been able to maintain a certain level of control.
However, earlier this year the Polycythemia progressed to Myelofribrosis ( Chronic Leukemia). Myelofibrosis is a serious bone marrow disorder that disrupts your body's normal production of blood cells. The result is extensive scarring in your bone marrow, leading to severe anemia, weakness, fatigue and often an enlarged spleen. Many people with myelofibrosis get progressively worse, and some may eventually develop a more serious form of leukemia.
The next step is now to receive an Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation. This is when the stem cell transplantation has to be given by a suitable donor. It is the only treatment that has the potential to cure myelofibrosis. But it also has a high risk of life threatening side effects. Prior to the stem cell transplant, also called a bone marrow transplant, Dean will receive very high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to destroy his diseased bone marrow. Once he is through that step he will receive infusions of stem cells from a compatible donor.
This is where our support can help Dean get through this experience with the least burden as possible. Dean will be leaving for Ottawa soon and will have to stay for 3months. He will have expensive lodging, meals, and traveling to deal with. If we can help aleviate some of this pressure then Dean can focus on fighting this Cancer and feeling at ease knowing that his family and home are being taken care of.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jamie Cresswell
Organizer
Garson, ON
Dean Spotswood
Beneficiary
