Let's Help Brad Rucker's Fight Against MDS: As our beloved friend battles a recent diagnosis of MDS, we are reaching out to ask for your support to cover mounting medical costs associated with treatment, including necessary travel expenses. Every donation, big or small, will make a significant difference in their fight against this disease. Please consider contributing and sharing this page to help Brad and Peggy on his road to recovery.

As many of you are aware, Brad was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), which is a blood cancer that occurs when the bone marrow produces abnormal blood cells. This diagnosis was completely unexpected for their family and has caused uneasiness in ways they never imagined.

The treatment for Brad’s MDS has been a multiple-step process. The first step was receiving chemotherapy treatments, which he has been receiving in Charleston since September 2024. The next step is traveling to Ruby Memorial Hospital on Monday, February 10, 2025, where he will spend the next 100 days receiving an Allogenic Stem Cell Transplant. A stem cell transplant patient often needs to stay in the hospital for around 100 days because this period is considered critical for recovery, as the new immune system is establishing itself, making them highly susceptible to infections and requiring close monitoring for potential complications; during this time, doctors can closely manage their blood counts, administer necessary medications, and protect them from exposure to germs through isolation. Thankfully, the long-term prognosis for Brad is overwhelmingly positive.

During this 100-day stay, Brad will be hospitalized for the first 30 days, and then for the next 60 days, he will need to be close to the hospital for frequent appointments and such and will need around-the-clock assistance. They have tried to use cost-effective accommodation but unfortunately, this option is booked for their entire stay.

This week they learned the other option was to stay in a hotel very close to the hospital that would cost around $100 per night, not including taxes, and then the additional cost of food and other needs for the entire stay. Peggy will need accommodations for the first 30 days and then both of them will continue to stay for the additional 60 days.

The outpouring of love and support they have received has truly been humbling. Their family and friends have been there every step of the way, and they could not appreciate it more. Many of you have already done so much, and they are eternally grateful.

We do not make this request for donations in the hopes that anyone will give more than they have or more than they can, but as they start to look at the costs they are going to incur over the coming months, we are concerned about the financial impact this treatment is going to bring to their family. We only want them to worry about recovering and getting back to their family.