Help Tim Kelly Fight AML Leukemia

Tim became the typical suburban dad stereotype long before Killian. The exact moment was when he got his own yard to take care of. Every weekend from May through October, he’d be giddy to mow the lawn, weed whack the crevices. One year he became obsessed with how the ‘mow lines’ looked from the street. Tim’s lawn time is sacred. Until one weekend, he couldn’t get through mowing without feeling out of breath and faint every few feet.

After checking his blood pressure and seeing it was dangerously low, he contacted his cardiologist. Since he has a history of high blood pressure, he was on specific medications to help keep it low. But not this low. He thought the dosages needed to be messed around with. After a week with new dosages, he felt worse and returned to his cardiologist. Tim had blood work drawn for a full CBC panel on Thursday morning and went to work. Friday morning, his cardiologist called him to let him know he needed to immediately go to the ER. ER staff was concerned from the get-go, and did some CT scans to rule out other explanations. The scans were clear. White blood cell count was extremely high, while red blood cells and platelets were extremely low. He also had a reading of many high immature blast cells. After arriving at the ER around 11:00 AM, he was admitted to the oncology unit at Valley Hospital by 3:30 PM with a confirmed case of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

Looking back and knowing this diagnosis, symptoms started roughly 1 month prior. Fatigue, sore throat, easily bruised, lightheaded and feeling faint. All symptoms that could point to simple allergies, life with a baby, and bending down frequently while working in the yard. 

AML is a quickly developing and aggressive blood cancer and requires an equally quick and aggressive treatment: 7 straight days of 24-hour chemotherapy. He will be spending an extended period in the hospital, away from his family. A bone marrow biopsy is also collected to see what subtype of AML Tim has. From these results, a more individualized treatment plan and prognosis factors will be determined. Currently, this is the point of treatment we are at. We are expected to have results from the bone marrow biopsy by early next week.

There is a chance a bone marrow transplant may be his recommended course of treatment. Please consider adding yourself to the bone marrow transplant database at www.bethematch.org. You are sent a free test kit in the mail, swab the inside of your cheek, pop it back in the mail, and that’s it. You’re added to the database of people who could potentially save lives. If you are ever matched with someone, you will never be required to donate if you decide not to. You never know whose lives you might change.

As he embarks on an intense chemotherapy journey, we are rallying together to provide Tim, his loving wife Meaghan, and their baby Killian, with the support they need during this challenging time. Medical bills, ongoing treatments, and the costs associated with extended hospital stays can put an incredible strain on a family’s finances. In addition, they will also face additional expenses and have everyday living costs while Tim is unable to work.

We humbly request your support to alleviate the financial burden and provide Tim and his family with the peace of mind they deserve during this difficult journey. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a meaningful impact in helping Tim focus on his health without the added stress of financial worries.

Here is how you can help:

1. Make a Donation: Every dollar donated will directly go towards covering medical expenses, hospital bills, and the ongoing costs associated with Tim's treatment and recovery.

2. Share and Spread the Word: Help us raise awareness about Tim's situation by sharing his GoFundMe campaign on your social media platforms, within your networks, and with anyone who may be able to provide support.

3. Please visit www.bethematch.org. Every three minutes, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer like leukemia or lymphoma, and for many of these patients, a bone marrow transplant is their best hope for survival. Unfortunately, finding a compatible donor is often an incredibly challenging task, as the odds of finding a perfect match are slim. That's where you come in. Take the first step towards becoming a potential match. Your involvement could mean the world to someone who is fighting for their life.

4. Offer Words of Encouragement. Your kind words, and thoughts mean the world to Tim and his family. Leave a message on this page to show your support and let them know they are not alone in this fight. We ask that you respect Tim’s family’s privacy right now as they have a lot on their plate. Instead of reaching out directly to them for more information, we plan to post milestones here so please check back for updates.

A note from Tim, “Please respond to even small changes in your body no matter your age, and get swabbed for the Bone Marrow Donation Database- you never know if you’ll need to try to help someone in your life.”

Together, let's come alongside Tim Kelly and his family during this difficult time. We can make a significant difference in their lives and ensure they have the resources and support necessary to navigate this challenging journey. Please donate, share, and spread the word today!