Help Us Fight Myeloma: Support Our Medical Journey

After 27 years of service at JSO, my thoughts of retirement did not include undergoing treatment for a rare blood cancer. Within months after my last day working, I was diagnosed with MGUS with the probably being less than 2% of advancing to Multiple Myeloma. Within a year and-a-half after that, I was upgraded to Smoldering Myeloma, and then a year later High Risk Smoldering. The doctors felt the disease process was advancing rapidly, and recommended early treatment due to my genetic risks and the quick progression so far. I was lucky to get into a trial at UM called the REVIVE trial. This is in Miami, which is almost 6 hours away. It was my only choice to stay ahead of the Myeloma. The cost didn’t seem much at the time, but has become heavy due to health issues that have arose since starting treatment. I’ve had multiple hospital stays and recently new biopsies due to muscle degeneration in my legs and hips. My wife Jill, who is on disability right now, and I have decided that travel expenses have become a bit of a burden. I am hoping to raise enough to cover the expenses (hospital stays, copays/%-trial only covers the medication, gas, hotel stays, flights occasionally, food for my wife during hospital stays and food for both our travel) throughout the remainder of the trial, which is a year and-a-half. If you can help, we would greatly appreciate it. Thank you in advance.