The Valerie Decker Support Fund

Valerie Decker is the youngest daughter of the Decker family. On 3/18/2021, two days before her first birthday, their world was turned upside down. Valerie was taken to the doctor due to large bruises on her body. They performed blood work that came back with concerning results (high white blood cell count and low red blood cell count). It was sent to a hematologist and after analysis, she was sent to Oakland Pediatric Cancer Center.

On 3/19/21, Valerie was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, subtype: Acute Megakaryoblastic Leukemia. She underwent surgery for port placement, lumbar puncture, and bone marrow biopsy during which she received her first dose of spinal chemotherapy. The results from these tests are pending and will determine her prognosis and course of treatment. As of now, she will be in the hospital in Oakland for six one-month cycles with a week at home in between. This plan could change at any time depending on how she responds to treatment.

Laura, Valerie's mother, has taken as much time off work as she can to be there with Valerie as Matt, her dad, is working and taking care of big sister Reese during the week.

The goals of this fundraiser are:

1) Offset costs of gas and tolls of driving back and forth between Napa (where they live) and Oakland
2) Offset the costs of meals in the hospital
3) Help replace the loss of income 
4) Provide financial support for resulting medical bills
5) Any other associated costs with this major life event

This fundraiser was set up by Bailey Tarpley, Valerie's aunt (Laura's sister). Thank you to everyone who has reached out. Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions as Laura and Matt are currently overwhelmed with support. This GoFundMe is also a great place to share your words of encouragement and love. 

From Laura:

"I am hopeful and sending energy out to the universe that her results will reveal a lower risk kind of leukemia that is easier to treat. I would like to request that you join me in using whatever belief system you ascribe to to covey healing energy and results that are consistent with the lower risk type of leukemia that has a better long term prognosis.

Thank you all!

In love and gratitude,
Laura"