Support Jodi's Battle Against Leukemia

My dear, lovely, vivacious and long-time friend of over 30 years needs support and out of an abundance of love and hope I'm starting this fund for her.

Two years ago, Jodi went in for her annual Chrones physical and her blood work came back with concerning results. Her white blood cell count was 3x more than normal and after additional tests, she was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).

They fortunately found it early and she was told it could be managed and monitored over time. Coincidentally, Jodi did not have a primary doctor established due to her husband's recent job loss and loss of insurance. Due to Paul's own health status with MS, he is also trying to take a step back to focus on stabilizing his own health as long as possible.

Jodi continued to have blood drawn every 2-3 months to watch her white blood count double or triple every few months (which got really scary).

Some people with CLL can go 10 years or more before major symptoms or needing any medication, but because of her numbers that wasn't the case for Jodi. She was categorized as "High Risk of Disease Progression".

This brings us to 2025 and because Jodi is younger than most patients with this, her current doctor recommended some alternative options to give her a better chance for a life on the other side of this. Without treatment, he told her she could be looking at 5 years.

Jodi was looking for ways to get into Mayo for more expertise and recommendations. Given her long anticipated journey, the Mayo would give her the best shot at consistent, extended care and cutting-edge treatments. Her doctors recommended a promising trial that could help and seemed tailored to her exact prognosis, titled MC168E: Randomized Phase 2 Study Comparing Acalabrutinib to Acalabrutinib and Obinutuzumab in the Treatment of Patients with Early-Stage Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (CLL/SLL) Who Are at High Risk of Disease Progression.

This required multiple expensive tests to qualify her acceptance in the trial. This particular trial allows her to keep working and to tolerate it reasonably well as it's not a chemo treatment. While the oral drug was covered by the trial, Jodi was put in a randomized arm that also receives infusions which are not covered. The upside is the prognosis of those receiving the oral drug + the infusions are more likely to go into remission.

Her current insurance is minimally (barely) covering her current treatments as the Mayo is out of network (as is the case for most insurance plans).

I'm starting this GoFundMe due to her extreme out of pocket expenses that would challenge anyone financially on top of the stress of just trying to survive this.

Jodi is also applying for grants and looking for ways to cover the costs, but the stress of paying for this is becoming more than the actual prognosis. Jodi hasn't shared broadly so this may come as a surprise to some. She isn't posting publicly yet so that she can maintain her self-employment and ongoing work projects.

I know many of us look for ways to support our loved ones in tangible ways and this is an easy way to have a profound impact.

Thank you to anyone sending love, support, encouragement and if you have the resources to support in this way, I know it would mean the world to her and all of us who love and adore her and have every intention of celebrating more life milestones with her. Any little bit helps. Thank you.