Moving Mountains for Madisen

Madisen was diagnosed in 2012 at age 9 with a blood disorder, essential thrombocythemia or "ET", in which her body produced to many platelets (clotting factor). In June 2018 after a yearly routine bone marrow biopsy it was discovered her disease had progressed to a form a chronic leukemia called myelofibrosis. With this progression, the next step in progression being AML, Dean and Melissa wanted to make sure they were doing everything they could for Madisen and got opinions from many different doctors including Children's in Minneapolis, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, University of Minnesota, and Cornell in New York and it has been decided the best option and only cure is a bone marrow transplant. By the grace of God Madisen was blessed with 2 perfectly matched sibling donors, her sister Brooke (19) and her brother Ryan (14). At this time the transplant team at the U of M has chosen Ryan to be her donor. There is genetic testing that will be done in the near future to ensure Brooke and Ryan do not have the same MPL mutation that caused Madisen's disease before transplant takes place. As of now, it has been decided that transplant will be in May of this year. The plan is to begin her workup that includes a wide array of tests and procedures to prepare her around May 6th with admittance and chemotherapy starting the week of May 20th. Madisen will endure approximately a 4 to 6 week hospital stay with an additional 100 days within 30 miles of the U of M, hopefully at the Ronald McDonald house.
In Madisen's eyes the hardest part about this entire process is leaving her pup, Aqua. Because there was some leeway with the time frame for transplant Madisen chose May 20th because she wants to be home for Aqua's first birthday, May 19th. The bond between Madisen and Aqua is truly special and unique. While Madisen is away from home, the separation will be very difficult for both of them.
During the time of Madisen’s bone marrow transplant journey, Melissa will not be bringing in any household income (approx. 5 months). 
The family will be using the funds raised for expenses related to Madisen’s diagnosis. 
Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated by Madisen and her family as they navigate this difficult journey.
With love,
Lynsey Maloney – Madisen’s cousin