Kaela's Chance To Beat Leukemia

We have created this Gofundme page to humbly ask to financially help out Kaela Santillo Aspeel as she begins her journey fighting Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Her world came crashing down around her on the afternoon of Wednesday November 23rd the day before Thanksgiving.  Kaela was going for her 6 month check-up to her pulmonary specialist who treats her for LAM lung disease (lymphangioleiomyomatosis).   It is a rare lung disease that usually strikes women during the prime of their lives. Known as LAM for short, this disease is characterized by an abnormal growth of smooth muscle cells, especially in the lungs, lymphatic system and kidneys. Unregulated growth of these cells can lead to loss of lung function, accumulation of lymph rich-fluid in the chest and abdomen and growth of tumors in the kidneys. There are two forms of LAM, Sporadic LAM (S-LAM) and Tuberous Sclerosis LAM (TSC-LAM). S-LAM occurs for unknown reasons. LAM also can occur in women who have a rare disease called tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and Kaela also has TSC. TSC is a rare, multi-system genetic disease that causes benign tumors to grow in the brain and on other vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, eyes, lungs, and skin. It usually affects the central nervous system and results in a combination of symptoms including seizures, developmental delay, behavioral problems, skin abnormalities, and kidney disease.  Kaela’s issues with TSC were not that severe manifesting mostly with a skin abnormality and then internally watching lesions especially those on her kidneys.  Three years ago her lungs became compromised and she was diagnosed with TSC-LAM and has championed through 2 lung collapses and 2 lung surgeries to strengthen her lungs and all was going well until Wednesday.  She had a cold and wasn’t feeling too well and had noticed in the past week she was bruising a lot for no real reason.  The pulmonary specialist always does blood work and she showed him the bruising and when he saw her white blood count (WBC) was off the charts he immediately sent her to Loyola University Medical Center where she was diagnosed with AML and starts her chemotherapy treatments today.  She will be in the hospital for the next 4 weeks barring any complications and we are praying for a positive outcome.  She is a vibrant 28 year old who has a whole life ahead of her.  She is a wife to Matthew Aspeel, a daughter to Kathy and John Santillo, a sister to Kerin and Danielle, a granddaughter to Dorothy Wilson, a niece and goddaughter to Maryann Wilson, David LeBlanc and Rev. Edward Wilson, a niece to Tricia and Pat Meade and a cousin to Connor, Shannon and Keegan Meade, a cat “Mom” to Lucas and Jinora (aka Jinny) and a loyal friend and co-worker to so many and is loved by all!  She is an exceptional secondary education teacher and is looking forward to getting back to her students.  We are devastated but live in hope and prayer as she approaches this battle with the strength, courage  and attitude she already has had to muster for all her other health issues over the years.  This will be just one more obstacle that she WILL overcome.  She has a long road ahead of her due to the uncertainty with treatment protocols as a result of her other diseases but we are confident that her team of doctors will get her into remission with no signs of disease so she can get back to her full life.

Kaela currently lives in Chicago as her husband recently finished his Master’s program at the University of Chicago and is now applying to PhD programs.  She is teacher at the University of Chicago Charter School and is the only income they have since Matthew was a full time student.  Their whole family lives in Rhode Island so family members will be flying back and forth to Chicago as work allows so Matthew is her constant source of strength and encouragement and for that we are thankful.

We are asking for donations with no amount too small because every little bit will help defray the costs for her medical and living expenses.  If you are not in the position to give then we ask for prayers to give her the strength to fight this cancer and of complete healing for Kaela. 

With much gratitude and love,

The Aspeel, Santillo, Wilson and Meade families