Have you ever known a person who would give you the shirt off their back? The kind of person who is always there for anyone who needs a helping hand. The kind of person who is generous and helpful and loving and kind and selfless. Well, we have. And that person is our sister Donna (Kearney) Smith. A wonderful daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, she certainly is someone special. And, she’s the last person anyone would wish ill upon.

Yet, here we are. Donna is facing a life-threatening illness. In November 2020, our sister was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a terminal cancer affecting the body’s plasma cells and immune system. There is no cure for Myeloma. However, there is treatment in the form of a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant. This treatment is approximately 80% effective in prolonging the life span of a myeloma patient. Donna is currently in treatment and just completed the transplant process. Moving forward, doctor visits at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago will continue through the rest of the year and beyond. Each appointment includes a 700-mile round-trip drive, hotel stay, city parking fees and more.

It's been a journey and it's not over. Donna will continue to deal with her cancer diagnosis for the rest of her life. So, as the sisters of someone we love dearly, we are setting up a GoFundMe page for Donna. If you would like to contribute, please do. Any amount will help with her continued expenses, no matter how small. Donna and our family will be eternally grateful. Blessings to you all.

To learn more about Multiple Myeloma, click this link: MULTIPLE MYELOMA NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE