In 2014, Connie was diagnosed with Myelodisplastic Syndrome (MDS). MDS is a rare group of disorders in which your body no longer makes enough healthy blood cells. You might sometimes hear it called a “bone marrow failure disorder.”

It was supposed to go through phases where medicine would regulate it, then after about 5 years the medicine would stop working, then she would have a bone marrow transplant before the disease turned into acute leukemia.

Unfortunately, in December 2019, Connie’s body skipped the stage of the medicine not working and she was diagnosed with acute leukemia without warning  before she and her perfect match sister, Cathii, could undergothe bone marrow transplant. 

Connie is currently at Mayo Clinic doing her first rounds of chemotherapy. She will be having to rent an apartment to stay during the days she’s not in the hospital, as her home is 10 hours from Mayo and she will be unable to leave the city most days in case of any complications. 

All funds raised for Connie will go towards living and travel expenses. 

Connie and her family appreciate all your help, thoughts, and prayers during this time.