Darlene Kirk, our friend, and sorority sister was hospitalized just days after Christmas and was diagnosed with leukemia. Since being admitted Darlene has received numerous blood transfusions, several bone and blood tests and many rounds of chemotherapy. After being in the hospital for a little over two months Darlene is finally home and getting ready for another round of chemotherapy while waiting for a bone marrow transplant in Seattle. Once Darlene gets to Seattle, she will need another round of chemotherapy before receiving the bone marrow transplant. She will need to stay in the hospital for about a month while undergoing chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant treatments. Once Darlene is released from the hospital, she will need to stay in Seattle for an additional two months with a 24-hour/day caregiver. The caretaker will be monitoring her for any problems in accepting the transplant.

Darlene does have health insurance to cover a lot of the hospital and medical expenses, but her out-of-pocket medical costs are adding up. Darlene and her husband, Dewayne, will need to pay for any living expenses that they incur in Seattle. The cost of housing alone is approximately $2,500 per month.

None of the Seattle living expenses are covered by insurance. Any help that you can give would be greatly appreciated.