Support Tricia’s fight against Bone Marrow Cancer

Jonnie & Momma

We absolutely hate the idea of starting this GoFundMe, but not nearly as much as we hate cancer. In the picture above is my beautiful sister Tricia, with her daughter and granddaughter. We received the news in March that my sister has Myelofibrosis, an aggressive form of Bone Marrow Cancer. Although it is in advanced stages, we are lucky enough to have found a perfect bone marrow donor match!

The transplant process will start in July at Fred Hutchinson in Seattle, and continue for 3 to 4 months. During that time we will need to stay within 30 minutes of the hospital. We are seeking funds to assist with our stay in Seattle.

The cancer and chemo have caused side effects that have required her to stop working.

My sister is the mother of 2 special needs boys and has always sacrificed her own comfort for them. I remember many years ago after a divorce she was living in a small trailer and sleeping on a futon in the living room so the boys could have the two bedrooms. She slept on that futon for over 2 years; and we all know how comfortable those can be! That is such a tiny reflection of the huge heart she has. Fast forward to just a few months ago. For several years she was driving over an hour, once a week, to clean our parents entire home, brush and style our mom‘s hair and cut her toenails for her. She did so with love and humor, always smiling despite this being on top of her job and other responsibilities She recently has had to stop, again due to extreme fatigue. (Our mother jokingly threatens to “Fire her” if she doesn’t start up again soon!)

Tricia has always been the caretaker of the family so this is extremely difficult for her to be the one who needs assistance. I know it would help her greatly if she did not have to worry about the family exhausting our finances. (We absolutely will if necessary and would do it 1 million times over for her.)

I very humbly thank you for reading this and appreciate any consideration.

Ericka Gilson