Hi, my name is Karina, and I'm fundraising for my best friend, Gael Welch. On Thursday, 3/4/2022 she was diagnosed with Lymphoma, after being misdiagnosed and repeatedly treated for Tonsilitis for over two months. She started the process of getting ready for treatment, including a PET Scan and a Bone Marrow Biopsy. On Wednesday, 3/23/2022 she received an urgent call from the Oncologist letting her know that she has Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, which transitioned into Richter's Syndrome (this is what caused the Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma to develop). She was admitted to the hospital and immediately given a PICC line that day so she could start chemotherapy ASAP.

 

Her port was implanted on Tuesday, 3/29/2022 and she will have chemo every 3 weeks for a total of 6 treatments, then she will need a Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant. While non-family members are not able to be tested to see if they're a match, we do encourage everyone who can to sign up to be a Bone Marrow Donor, if they're able to, if you're a match you will come up in their system! You can sign up on bethematch.org.

 

We have had a lot of people ask what she needs and how they can help, but without knowing exactly what extra expenses will be incurred, what all of this will entail, and if she will need to take time off of work, we're really not sure yet. She started full-time with the company that bought the company she was working for on March 1st, so she has very little PTO and she has to pay for COBRA out of pocket to make sure she doesn't experience a break in treatment. She has a high co-pay, expensive prescriptions, and lots of appointments, some in Hollywood (which is a far drive from Azusa, CA).

 

Every little bit will help and will go towards her medical bills, medications, gas, food/grocery delivery, help pay her bills so she can stay in her apartment if she has to take unpaid time off work/go on disability, not have to give up her kitty, Endora, and any unexpected expenses that come up.

 

I will keep everyone updated on her treatment and recovery here, on Facebook, and on Instagram!

 

Thank you!