Help Our Dad Battle Multiple Myeloma

Back in August, Our dad was diagnosed with having an aggressive form of blood cancer, Multiple Myeloma. This is an incurable cancer that affects the plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies to help the body fight infections. When the cancerous plasma cells grow rapidly it produces tumors in the bone marrow. When dad was diagnosed, over 90% of his bone marrow throughout his body was affected with these cancerous cells. This is why for a long time he’s been dealing with extreme bone pain, mobility issues, fatigue, and random illnesses that take longer than most to recover from.

For the past 7 months, dad has been making weekly trips to the Cancer Center for various appointments and treatment. Despite the multiple weekly appointments and adverse reactions from the treatment, he has still been working full time and trying to live life as normally as possible because providing for and being present for his family is most important to him.

About a month ago, we were told that treatment is working, and his blood work is looking so much better, and that he’s ready for the next phase of treatment, a stem cell transplant. This process will require a few weeks hospital stay, high dose chemotherapy to kill all the remaining myeloma cancer cells in his bone marrow, and a reintroduction of the new cells that they will put back into his body. Due to the extent of this treatment and the fact that dad will have to rebuild his immune system, he will have to be out of work for at least 3 months. Our mom will also be out of work so she can take care of him during his recovery. Dad will be going into the hospital for his transplant on March 3rd.

Even though they will both be able to take a leave of absence from work, they will only be receiving a portion of their pay. In addition to that pay cut, they will also have medical bills, travel and lodging cost, and additional costs to get our home prepared for dad's post-transplant recovery.

These past few months have taken a toll on our family especially our mom and dad. Instead of putting together a benefit, we thought this would be another way to get our parents the help that they need during this time. Our parents are very humble people and wouldn't ask for help, but we really need them to focus on dad's recovery and to keep him healthy and safe. If you can’t help financially, please just keep those positive vibes coming our way. We’re going to need them!!

Thank you in advance for your help,

Quincy, Lily, and Nick