From Aidan and Madeline Domster…
On October 22, 2025, our family’s world changed when my dad, Darin Domster, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). AML is an aggressive form of blood cancer, which was discovered in his body during a routine physical. Within days of his diagnosis, he was admitted to Roswell Park Cancer Institute and immediately began intensive chemotherapy, to eventually prepare for a life-saving stem cell transplant.
Since then, my dad has spent weeks in the hospital, endured multiple rounds of chemotherapy, and is required to make a long trip to Roswell almost daily for treatment. Due to his condition, he has been unable to work since his diagnosis, and his return date is unknown.
What we believed would be a short journey, has turned into an extensive and difficult process of treatment and uncertainty. This December, we faced a devastating setback when complications with his original donor delayed his original date of transplant. He is now scheduled for mid-February and has begun a third round of chemotherapy in the meantime. Each round of therapy is harder on his body; causing extreme fatigue, nausea, muscle pain, and sleep disruption. Although this process has been rough, he continues to fight with strength and determination.
When my dad is admitted for his transplant, doctors will first destroy his remaining bone marrow with high-dose chemotherapy, then introduce healthy donor stem cells through an IV. Because of this, he will have virtually no immune system for many months, and must remain in strict isolation. He will also require a full-time caregiver for at least 60 days, along with daily hospital visits. This not only hinders his ability to provide for our family, but adds an additional burden of cost for care.
During this time, our mom, Nicole, had just started a new job after being let go earlier this year due to her position being removed. She now works long hours, and has picked up a second job to compensate for the loss of income. In addition to providing income, she is also serving as my dad’s primary caregiver: managing appointments, medications, and maintaining a sterile home environment.
Anyone who knows my dad knows how hardworking and selfless he is. He’s the kind of person to never ask for help. But the reality is: this illness has created an overwhelming financial burden.
Between: Loss of my dad’s income, reduced disability pay, daily travel to Roswell, insurance copays, medications, hospital bills, and basic household expenses …our family is struggling to keep up.
This is incredibly difficult for us to ask, but we are raising funds to help ease financial stress, so our parents can better focus on what truly matters: my dad’s recovery. While AML has no guaranteed cure, remission is possible through stem cell transplantation, and we are holding onto hope with everything we have.
If you are able to donate, even a small amount, it would mean more than we can express. Every contribution, big or small, brings relief and hope. If you are not in a position to give, please consider sharing this page and keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you for reading and for supporting our family during this difficult and unprecedented time.
With much love,
Madeline Domster and Aidan Domster.