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Leukemia Support Fund

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My father is one who is too proud to ask for help, and when he is offered help, he is too stubborn to accept it.  I am reaching out for help on his behalf. On April 4th, 2018 my dad (Dennis Walsh) had routine blood work performed, which revealed startling results. After multiple other blood tests, a PET scan, and a bone marrow biopsy, it was revealed that Dennis had a rapid and aggressive form of leukemia known as Acute Myeloid Leukemia, or AML for short. During the interim of tests, he also contracted bilateral pneumonia due to his diminished white blood cell count. He met with the oncologist on April 11th, 2018 who immediately referred Dennis to a hospital 3 hours away at Duke University because they do not treat this specific form of cancer locally. He was advised to travel to Duke "immediately" and arrived the night of April 11th. Upon arrival, the first task was to combat the bilateral pneumonia, which took 5 days, prior to initiating a vigorous treatment of Chemotherapy to combat the leukemia.  His oncologist at Duke informed him without treatment, he would be lucky to make it 1 month. With that, Chemotherapy began on April 17, 2018, with all signs pointing to a recovery and remission at this point. Dennis is required to be treated in-patient for the next 30 days, for which his wife, Karin Walsh, is staying by his side through the entirety of. His four kids are helping physically, financially, and emotionally any and all ways they know how. The community support has been tremendous and has greatly helped Dennis keep his morale up. It was recently revealed that Dennis will not be able to work for the next 18-24 months at a minimum per his treating physician.
A few years ago, both Dennis and Karin fell on financial hardship that nearly depleted their savings account.  Over the years they have began to replenish their account, however it is not where it needs to be during this hardship.
Karin is staying in Durham for the length of inpatient stay with her husband Dennis, and is required to pay for local housing out of pocket. This does not include the bills that are currently piling up at the couples home town in Brunswick County. Dennis was also placed on uncompensated leave for the time being until he is fit and ready to return to work. Karin's current employment is not sufficient income to maintain all bills, and this is prior to receiving medical bills.
My dad has been a supportive and prominent member of any area he has lived in. He has worked endless hours in order to support his family the best that he could. He has had hardships that he has overcome more frequently than anyone should ever have to. He has always been one to give, even if he has nothing to give.  Currently both Dennis and Karin are worried about finances when their sole focus should be on kicking leukemia's butt. And their children are trying to help alleviate their burden as much as possible, however we can not do it alone. We are asking for the support needed to help both Dennis and Karin through this hard time to reduce their financial stress. Any little bit helps, and we are beyond gracious for any generosity you are willing to give.
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Donations 

  • Susan Yancey
    • $25 
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Ryan Walsh
Organizer
Leland, NC
Karin Westervelt Walsh
Beneficiary

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