Supporting Darlene Through Her Journey

Darlene and her husband Scott have been together for 32 years. Together, they raised their two sons, Keith and Brandon, in a town just south of Seattle, Washington. In the last nine years they have been blessed with five grandsons, who have made their life that much more meaningful.

Being able to watch their grandsons grow - from watching them play with one another, have their individual personalities start to shine through, to building puzzles and spending time at grandma and grandpa’s house has filled Darlene's soul with a love only a grandmother knows.

Darlene was a housekeeper for the last 37 years, starting at the young age of 20. Her mother got her in with the staff at a local hospital and Darlene got fulfillment from knowing she created a safe, clean environment for the next patient and whatever trials may come their way.

Darlene has always been a go-getter, encouraging family to always do their best and giving them a helping hand whenever they needed it. In August 2022, around the time her last two grandsons were born, it started to become a challenge to go about her day-to-day life. Yet she pushed through the discomfort as she always does, ensuring she was there for anyone who needed her.

In April 2023, Darlene went to the emergency room in an unbearable amount of pain. Upon further testing, her and Scott were told she had fractured 4 ribs and had 3 compressed vertebrae caused from Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells.

At this time in her life, Darlene is able to go through a stem cell transplant that will aid in keeping her cancer in remission. In the last six months, she has had multiple cancer treatments that have done their job - but they have also taken their toll.

The next step Darlene and Scott have to take is difficult not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, and financially. She will need to relocate herself closer to the cancer center during this process and have a 24/7 caregiver.

Her husband, Scott, and sons, Keith and Brandon, are taking time off work to help Darlene the best they can - taking her to appointments and treatments as needed. She knows it will take a group effort to get through this, but her sons being the sole providers for their families as well, can only do what they can do. This family is asking for our help - and we know if it were someone else in the community in her shoes, Darlene would find a way to do just that.