Jake Kamm

Earlier this year my brother, Jake, ended up in the hospital. In the past few months, he has been in and out of the hospital and after many frustrating weeks and testing, he has been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. In the bone marrow, myeloma cells crowd out healthy white blood cells and red blood cells, leading to fatigue and an inability to fight infections. Those cells accumulate in the bone, form lesions and causes bones to break, become brittle and are painful. This also leads to the bones leaking too much calcium into the body which causes issues with kidney function.

So, long story short, he hasn't been able to work for the obvious reasons. Gale is unable to work because she is his only caregiver during this Covid outbreak. He just started Chemotherapy last week and will have to endure 16 straight weeks of it. In between those treatments, at about 8 weeks, he has to fly to Ottawa in order for the medical team to harvest some stem cells and then, at the end of his Chemotherapy he will have to travel to have those healthy stem cells put back into his bones. We are not sure at this time if a second trip to Ottawa is required for that or if they can do it in Thunder Bay. Jake has no sick pay nor disability benefits and with neither of them being able to work, funds are tight. There will be multiple overnight trips to Thunder Bay in between and Gale will have to accompany and stay with him because he does not have the strength to do it alone.

Any little bit helps, is greatly appreciated and we are so grateful to have so many kind and concerned friends and a wonderful supportive  family. Thank you.