Let's help Shane's battle with MDS!

We all have met those people, you know the ones that literally would give you the shirt off their backs? They might only have two shirts total and work 50+ hours a week, but they see someone in need and they jump at the opportunity to help? That is the epitome of my dearest friends, Shane and Phyllis Witherell.

February 2022, Shane was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer called MDS (Myelodysplastic syndrome). This diagnosis rocked the very foundation of Shane and Phyll's lives. They spent hours upon hours seeing doctors, getting lab work, seeing specialists, spending time in the hospital and recently Shane has been undergoing monthly chemo therapy to help slow and stabilize the cancer. The thing about MDS? The only treatment option to send the MDS into remission is a bone marrow stem cell transplant. This is a costly procedure that will also require them to stay near Ann Arbor for 100 days after the transplant and will prohibit Shane from working for an entire year after the transplant. Unfortunately, insurance will not cover housing costs for the 100 days and with the price of housing right now, temporary housing will cost them 2-3X the amount of their normal housing, which they will also still need to pay for. Medicine, housing, out of pocket costs, transportation and going down to one income for a year is putting a strain on this family in a time when they need to focus everything they have on taking care of Shane. This is why I have come to ask the community to help these two amazing and giving people in their time of need.

Now the good news? Shane's siblings were recently tested and his brother is a perfect match! This in itself is a miracle as a perfect match, even with siblings is not very common. So Shane has a donor and has his transplant scheduled for early June. There is a really good chance, that with support and help, Shane could go into remission and return to his life as a husband, father, son, brother, friend and mason (brick layer).

So, if you are the type to give the shirt off your back, would you please consider helping us help Shane and Phyllis as they navigate this journey?