Let's Help Daniel Overcome Leukemia

As some of you may know, Daniel Wilsey was recently diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). 1 in 526 people will be diagnosed annually with CML in the USA. Though CML is a highly treatable chronic illness with a high percentage of people reaching remission, it is no easy journey to get there physically, emotionally, or financially. 1 in 4 people get diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime. Another way to look at that fact is that on a full otter load of 24 skydivers, the odds are that six of those people will battle some form of cancer during their lifetime. The cards are stacked against us and at some point we or someone we love will be forced to experience the hardships of cancer.

Despite this recent diagnosis, Daniel has been taking everything in stride and is the same happy, fun loving, kind and genuine man that I have know for almost 15 years now. His attitude and resolve over the whole situation have been mind blowing. His only disappointment is that he isn’t allowed to jump again until he is healthy. Other than that frustration, he is content and resolved to face this.

Daniel is one of the most gracious and giving people I know. He will willingly sacrifice to ensure that his friends and family have what they need. I have received food from him when I was hungry, a place to sleep when I felt like I had no other place to go, and he even took care of me once when I had shingles. The best gift he has given me over the years has been his loyal and selfless friendship. Whether you have known him for half his life or just for a few minutes, it doesn’t take long to realize that he carries such a lovely charisma accompanied by an overwhelmingly accepting smile. He is an incredible man and it breaks my heart to see him put into such a crappy situation.

With all that said, the reality of this situation is that Daniel can now use the help of his community. He is currently undergoing treatment for CML and is in great hands at the Cancer Treatment Center in Ottawa, IL. While he does have some insurance coverage for his doctor visits and the potential procedures that he may have, his insurance does not even come close to covering the cost of his medication treatments. For a one month supply of just one of the medications he needs it would cost $12,000 a month out of pocket. A total of $144,000 a year for just one of the medication he is taking. He currently can’t skydive because of the risk of blood clots, and has limited means of making money with the additional physical side effects of CML and his treatment so far.

As of right now he has multiple people, including the medical professionals treating him, working with charities and drug companies to receive assistance, discounts and rebates. Though these efforts are helpful, there are still significant medical expenses.

I am reaching out to all of you who know and love Daniel to donate what you can so that we can work towards getting him better healthcare coverage that will encompass the treatments he needs to overcome this and get back on track. 86% of people who are diagnosised with CML that receive comprehensive treatments reach a permanent remission, living out a normal and full life. Sometimes that requires continuous treatment for many years to keep the disease at bay and sometimes the body naturally regains a balance with less treatment. I really want to see Daniel get there and not be completely buried in debt. I want to see him overcome this and continue to live out his hopes and dreams in the way he wants to, through skydiving. This money will help him to secure better health coverage, cover co-pays, and prescription cost, along with giving him a little breathing room to focus on getting healthy and worry just a little less about paying his medical bills.

I have Daniel’s permission to establish this GoFundMe for him and all funds will go directly to him from GoFundMe.

Photo Credit: Raymond Adams