Main fundraiser photo

Kenneth's Stem Cell Transplant Fund

Donation protected
I wanted to add an updated line here because I know a lot of people are concerned. At the beginning of April, 2015 I thought life had returned to normal after my SCT. I was working a few hours,  working out some, people thought I looked really healthy and like I was doing well. I started a new chemo maintenance plan designed to further contain myeloma and had much to look forward to. Just like that though things can changed. The damn burst on my overtaxed immune system and I developed in an incredibly/murderously painful bout of the shingles virus which was very extensive. It actually initially started as severe abdominal pain the like of which I wouldn't wish on anyone. It was puzzling for the medical team to figure out.  And while a biopsy done through an endoscopy was determining that it was a zoster virus infection my body erupted in shingle pods. It kind of looks like chicken pox scarring, although it literally has peppered my body and face. I was in Albuquerque and when in the middle of starting treatment for this I was transferred by ambulance and by air to Mayo clinic in Phoenix. I was on a ridiculous amount of pain killers so my memory of this happening is rather blurry. I can't say I even know what happened. I remember a doc asking me if I wanted to go to Mayo and I remember saying yes. Anyway, the care here has been great and they think I'm ready to get out of the hospital environment so I'll be flying back home to Albuquerque to continue my recovery at home on April 22, 2016.  I have good insurance that will cover a lot these costs. However, the out of pocket for insurance and additional costs is on me.  Any dollar you have helps and I will forever be grateful. 

The time has come to tackle Multiple Myeloma with another Stem Cell Transplant.  In July of 2011 I had a transplant at MD Anderson.  My disease has been considered recurrent the majority of time since.  And even though I've done many months of myeloma fighting chemotherapy drugs along with radiation for spinal lesions, the medical consensus is to go for another transplant.  This time it will be at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.  My medical leave from work begins on September 25th.  I am near family which is a big help and I am fortunate to have a very good insurance plan. The majority of this insanely expensive "procedure" is covered, but there are many ancillary costs such as travel and other things that come up when you are 1600 miles away from home.  Not to mention the 4-6 months I will be recovering and not working. 

My goal with this fund page is for friends and family who are able to contribute to have a place to do so. I'm not looking for you to make a donation that would be a sacrifice to your own financial needs and those of your family.  I'm thinking more like if you have 5 bucks you wouldn't mind not spending at Starbucks (sorry Starbucks) than maybe donate that.  No pressure. Anything helps and would be greatly appreciated.
Donate

Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $100 
    • 8 yrs
Donate

Organizer

Kenneth Smith
Organizer
Albuquerque, NM
  • Other

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.