Help Keith Frank beat leukemia (AML)

As many of you know, Keith was diagnosed in October 2021 with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and began chemotherapy treatment in south Austin. Keith endured five different rounds of chemo in Austin in an attempt to achieve remission so he could proceed with a stem cell transplant. Ultimately, in March 2022 he was transferred to MD Anderson in Houston to undergo a sixth chemotherapy regimen and participate in a clinical trial. Keith has finally reached a point in his therapy where the doctors are recommending to proceed with the stem cell transplant. The transfer to MD Anderson for treatment has brought many extra expenses to their family and he will be required to stay in Houston for at least 100 days following the transplant incurring even more expenses, many of which are not covered by insurance.

Around Keith's birthday last September, he was beginning to feel very sick and weak. He was having trouble even mowing the lawn or walking to the soccer fields for his kids' games. He went to his primary care doctor who told him it sounded like allergies and prescribed some medication for that. Obviously, the issue was not allergies and Keith continued to feel worse every day. He eventually ended up in the Georgetown ER where they ran some tests and decided to transfer him to a hospital in south Austin that specializes in cancer treatments. It was there that it was confirmed Keith has AML which was quickly destroying his body. He started on chemo treatments immediately, along with blood transfusions and other medications. He was admitted and stayed in the hospital for several months before finally being able to return home. Since then, he has undergone six different rounds of chemo, innumerable blood transfusions, and several hospital admissions to address chemo side effects, all with the hope and prayer that the leukemia would be beat back enough for him to undergo a stem cell transplant.

Eventually, his doctors in Austin recommended he transfer his care to MD Andersen in Houston since they have access to different chemotherapies and investigational medications. He has been undergoing treatments and tests in Houston since March 2022, which has incurred a lot of additional costs - gas going back and forth from there and their home in Liberty Hill, additional food costs, lodging expenses, etc. They also have to pay co-pays for every appointment, pharmaceutical, and transfusion, which have been getting very expensive. They have been using savings money to cover all these expenses so far, but that money is quickly drying up.

Through all of this, Keith has continued to keep a positive outlook and look to God for healing and strength. He is determined to fight this battle and continue to live his life in service of his Creator, being an excellent husband, father, brother, son, etc. Keith has an amazing sense of humor, which he is continuing to exhibit to help himself and those around him cope with these difficult circumstances.

Keith has finally been approved to undergo the stem cell transplant. His younger brother, Philip, was approved to be his donor and has begun the process necessary to donate his bone marrow stem cells. Keith is beginning the pre-transplant high-dose chemotherapy regimen on May 9, 2022 and if all goes well, he will complete the transplant on May 31, 2022. After the transplant, he will be required to stay in Houston for at least 100 days to monitor his progress and deal with any complications that may arise. During that time, he will be incurring additional costs for lodging, food, travel, etc. which are not covered by insurance. Keith and his family would be deeply grateful for any donation you can provide that would help offset the costs of his medical out-of-pocket expenses, along with the additional travel, food, and lodging costs. There will also be additional costs incurred for Philip's travel and lodging expenses as his donor, which also are not covered by insurance. We all appreciate your prayers that the transplant would be successful and that Keith's health would be restored.

Thank you, love to all of you, and God bless!