Cancer is a life-changing event. I was diagnosed with MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROME (MDS) in February 2022, and by 2024, I needed weekly blood transfusions to stay alive. Doctors exhausted all treatments for this condition before sending me to MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER in Houston, TX for a STEM CELL TRANSPLANT in January 2025.

My daughter took an unpaid leave of absence from her career, and I forwent my seasonal employment this year to pack up and temporarily move from our home in New Orleans, LA to Houston for this last chance at life.

My transplant was successfully completed, but a few weeks later, my daughter tells me I went unconscious and was rushed to the ICU. I had had a seizure and was in a medically induced coma for a week.

Current status: Doctors say I am finally on the mend, but I am still very weak and it may take years to fully recover.

Medicine and out-of-pocket expenses plague us. Expenses for rent/lodging, living away from home, transportation, food, vehicle expense, and out-of-pocket expenses not covered by state medical insurance or private insurance are mounting. I have reached out to not-for-profit agencies for assistance to no avail. What savings I had have been depleted to account for the magnitude and scope of this disease.

My life has been severely altered. Previously, I was a volunteer serving at Mass and volunteering in other church fundraising activities. I was active with the local Catholic Archdiocese Hospice Program by visiting the sick and impaired. I was a member of Toastmasters club and actively involved. I was a member of a local social club that prepared food baskets for families in need. I danced to stay fit and stayed very active in civic affairs and for the benefit of the community. I volunteered with other social and pleasure groups in order to make the world a safer and better place. I hope to return to these activities as soon as I am able.

If this is in your heart and mind to donate, please do. I would appreciate the help. No donation is too small. I would not have to worry about funding and could concentrate on healing.