Mark Celello's Medical Fund

Life can turn around in the blink of an eye.  Life is precious so cherish it.  We have heard these words many times in life.  These words have become truer since September more than ever.  In September our dad went for further testing regarding some chest pain and what he thought was a broken rib.  What we found would change our lives drastically, especially his.  After multiple diagnostic testing including a trip to MD Anderson, our father was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Multiple Myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Plasma cells help you fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs.  Multiple myeloma causes cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow, where they crowd out healthy blood cells.  This eventually leads to renal failure, anemia, bone pain, fractures, and a weakened immune system.  This cancer does not always require treatment and some patients can live a long life with episodes of chemo administration.  Sounds easy.  Except our dad has a special form of multiple myeloma.  During his initial workup at MD Anderson they performed a FISH test.  This is a specialized chromosomal testing to figure out the nature of the cancer.  He has what is known as deletion of chromosome 17.  This unfortunately makes his cancer more aggressive, difficult to treat, and overall a more poor prognosis.  This being said he will most likely be on chemotherapy for the rest of his life with little to no breaks in between.  This also means his best chance at survival is to have a stem cell transplant.  All that being said he will have to move to Houston for an extended amount of time and make frequent trips there every month even after his transplant is complete.  As we all know this equates to a mountain of expenses.  I hope after reading this, you will consider donating to help with these increasing costs, leave inspirational messages, offer hope, and above all keep him in your prayers.  He is a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend to many.  Let’s provide the support he needs.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to read this and help in anyway possible.  God Bless to each and every one of you.