UPDATE TO THE UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: Bob passed away peacefully in his home. Thank you all for your love and support. 

UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: I have turned donations back on now that my dad has been placed in hospice care. There is a full update post below for more information. Thank you so much to everyone who has cheered Bob and Alison on in this difficult journey ❤️‍ 

UPDATE: we have turned off donations as the goal has been EXCEEDED. We are so deeply thankful!! We will continue to post updates when we have news to share. 

Hi friends, family, and kind-hearted internet strangers,

We never imagined we’d be writing a GoFundMe in the early chapters of our parents’ retirement era--you know... the part that was supposed to involve fun trips, slow mornings, and the acquisition of deeply unnecessary new hobbies. Instead, here we are.

In November, our dad (Bob, Bobert, Mr. Bob Dobalina, etc) was diagnosed with an aggressive form of myelofibrosis. Yes, our dad is officially bad to the bone. Since then, things have moved fast, and not in a positive direction. His health has deteriorated rapidly. He’s in constant pain, has lost over 30 pounds, and needs round the clock care and blood transfusions every few days just to keep things running.

Doctors have given Bob a prognosis of 6 to 18 months, UNLESS he is able to receive a successful bone marrow transplant. Michael and Kristin were both tested as genetic matches, and Michael will be donating. Mostly because this is her only shot to secure the coveted position of Favorite Daughter.

That said, bone marrow transplants are not for the faint of heart (or wallet).

The procedure requires Bob and our mom Alison to live within minutes of the Colorado Blood Cancer Institute in Denver for at least four months, which means renting an apartment nearby, plus travel costs, rental cars, and all the logistical chaos that comes with suddenly relocating your life. There are also ongoing medical expenses, including a medication that costs about $2,000 a month out of pocket, because of course it does. All of this on top of their monthly mortgage, bills, etc.

Bone marrow transplants are brutal, high-risk procedures. Alison will be with Bob all day, every day, potentially for MONTHS. We'd love for her to be able to focus fully on our dad's survival without worrying about literally anything else.

The transplant is scheduled for March 3, 2026, which means these costs aren’t theoretical or “someday” problems...they’re happening right now. Flights, housing, transportation, medical bills, etc, all need to be handled quickly.

And here we'd like to pause and say thank you. So many people have already shown up in the most meaningful ways, such as dropping off meals, running errands, checking in, sitting with our parents, and reminding them they’re not alone. You’ve kept their spirits up during an impossibly hard season, and we are endlessly grateful (especially since we are so far away).

This diagnosis came cruelly early in their retirement...before they’d even gotten the chance to enjoy it. Our hope is that this transplant gives them back the time they were supposed to have to drive each other insane for many years to come.

Thank you for reading, sharing, donating if you’re able, and holding our family in your thoughts and prayers. Every bit of support, financial or otherwise, means more than we can possibly say.

With love,

Michael & Kristin