Hi! I’m organizing this fundraiser for my dear friend Michelle Caringella, who was recently diagnosed with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML), a rare form of leukemia. Her medical team has outlined an urgent plan: chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant. Without a transplant, CMML can progress into a more aggressive, incurable form of leukemia.

Michelle is a devoted wife and mother, with a husband in his 70’s and a son with autism. As an active member of her congregation and a long-time volunteer in community organizations, Michelle is the person who quietly shows up first for others. Asking for help is hard for her. Today, she needs us.

The transplant timeline begins soon after chemotherapy. After the transplant, Michelle will follow a strict recovery protocol: a 6-week hospital stay, followed by roughly 2 years of ongoing monitoring (frequent labs, bone marrow biopsies, and many specialist visits). She’ll also need to quarantine at home for 3–4 months to protect her fragile immune system while she heals.

We are raising $20,000 to cover immediate medical and recovery needs this fall and into next year. Michelle’s family has a high-deductible plan, so even with insurance there are significant annual out-of-pocket costs.

How your gift will be used:

• $16,000 – Medical care: insurance deductible/co-insurance for chemotherapy and transplant care; follow-up labs and imaging; specialist visits; required testing (including bone marrow biopsies); and medications related to transplant recovery.

• $4,000 – Safe home recovery: preparing a clean healing space as required by her doctor, replacing the 20-year-old carpet on the upstairs level, and installing a medical-grade whole house filtration system to reduce particulates and protect Michelle’s immune system during quarantine and going forward.

Every dollar will go directly to these needs, and funds will go directly from GoFundMe to Michelle’s family. Any funds that exceed our goal will be used for Michelle's continued medical expenses. We will post updates as milestones are reached so you can see the progress your generosity makes.

The impact of your help:

• Right now: Your support helps Michelle start and stay on track with chemotherapy and the transplant process, including ongoing tests that guide her care.

• In the coming months: You’ll help create a safe home environment where she can heal, be with her family, and regain strength with less risk of infection.

• Over the next two years: Consistent follow-up is critical after a transplant. Your gift helps cover that long road so Michelle can focus on getting well.

How you can help today

1. Donate what you can. No amount is too small to make a difference for Michelle.

2. Share this fundraiser with your network (text, email, social media, and your congregation/community groups).

3. Leave a message of encouragement. Michelle reads them, and your words genuinely lift her.

We are profoundly grateful for every gift and share. We will post regular updates on treatment milestones, transplant progress, and home preparation, so you can see exactly how your support is helping Michelle move toward recovery.

Thank you for standing with Michelle in this fight. Your generosity, prayers, and shares will help her reach her treatment goals, heal safely, and come back stronger than ever.