Brian was a healthy Driver Trainer for a trucking company until May 2014, when severe fatigue caused him to leave his job.  Doctors had no answers until October 1, when a supposed kidney stone turned into a midnight run to the Levine Cancer Center and adiagnosis of AML Leukemia, near kidney failure, and 24 hours to live.  He went through a whirlwind 24 hours of emergency chemo, dialysis, and more medication and tests than he can remember.  The next two months were a not-so-fun regimen of lots of chemo, medication reactions, and just wanting to go home.

Brian's AML Leukemia is caused from exposure, and comes from his service as a Marine at Camp Lejeune, NC.  He was stationed at Lejeune from 1983 to 1985, right during the water contamination debacle, when a dry cleaners' and diesel fuel tanks were leaking deadly chemicals (benzene and trichloroethylene, known cancer causing chemicals, among others) into the wells on base.  This meant that for 3 years he drank, bathed and ate food prepared with poisoned water, thousands of times more contaminated than legal limits. He is still waiting on a decision from Veteran's Affairs on his disability claim, now in the 20th month of waiting.

Because of the contamination, it was necessary to have a bone marrow/stem cell transplant.He was lucky enough to have two sons who were both a half match. In February of 2014 he had a successful bone marrow transplant.  This was followed by months of post-transplant hospital visits to monitor his bloodwork and the many medications required to prevent Graft vs Host disease and other possible complications.  

Brian remains positive and hopeful that he will one day be strong enough to work again, but the road to recovery is long and frustrating.  He has a strong emotional support network through family and church, but his cancer journey has been financially challenging.  Any funding would go towards insurance premiums and copays, medications and  day to day expenses.

the Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation’s One-to-One Funds are designed to support patients through this difficult transplant journey.  Thank you in advance for your support.  All gifts are tax deductible, and many companies will match charitable donations made.

Thank you.