Kendall's Bone Marrow Transplant

My 10-year-old niece, Kendall, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia three years ago.  She has already endured many long and difficult hospitalizations during the past two years of her treatment at the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital in Portland, Maine.  Unfortunately, after just a few short months out of the hospital, her symptoms started to reappear.  She had relapsed.  What was hopefully a long-awaited permanent remission, instead became a  3-month respite and prelude to her plight today.  Right now she is in Boston at the Dana-Farber Children's Cancer Center undergoing chemo and full-body radiation in preparation for a last-resort bone marrow transplant.  It is a miracle that they found a perfect bone marrow match from a 28 year old male who was anxious to help.  However, Kendall faces a long road ahead of her in or near the transplant center for at least a year.

My younger brother Jake has reached the point where he needs financial help in order to be with his daughter Kendall in Boston throughout her upcoming bone marrow transplant.  Jake works full-time in Maine for a landscape contractor.  His boss is very understanding and allows him to miss work to be with Kendall during her hospitalization battles; but Jake has no vacation, medical leave, or other benefits which might help ease the frequent loss of income Kendall's treatment has and will require.  Like so many, if he is not on the job, he doesn't get paid.  For the past two years he has spent many nights sleeping in a hospital recliner then headed straight into work the next morning.  There have also been many days where she has been too sick for him to leave her or he has remained by her side through multiple procedures.  Understandably, the last two years have taken not only a major physical and emotional toll, but a huge financial one as well.  Jake has already sold everything he owns of value, borrowed as much as he can, and neglected his current vehicle to the point that it is unsafe to drive, trying to make ends meet.  With his limited funds, he has to choose whether to pay bills, buy groceries, keep his rusted 99 Mazda pickup on the road, or spend time by his daughter’s side at the hospital.  With the start of this new treatment in Boston, an 80-mile drive from Maine, Kendall needs Jake with her and he needs our help to have one less thing to worry about.

Jake is a U.S. Air Force veteran and dedicated father to his daughter Kendall and his 6-yr-old son, Jaxon.  Please help support him to be with Kendall during her treatment in Boston.  She needs him now more than ever. 

I sincerely thank you for taking the time to read this request.  Please keep Kendall, Jake and the rest of their family in your prayers.  Our family appreciates ANY donation you make, regardless of the amount.  I know, without a doubt, Jake will more than pay-it-forward.  So will we.  May the Lord bless you for your generosity in reaching out to help.