Help Jordan Edwards Crush Cancer: Multiple Myeloma
Donation protected
In January of 2019, Jordan Edwards got a bad case of the flu, which turned into pneumonia, which resulted in an unusual nosebleed that would not stop. “I felt like I was going to die that night and knew by morning that the nosebleed wasn’t normal.” That’s when Jordan and his long-time partner, Gina, packed up and rushed to the closest ER.
Jordan received a blood and platelet transfusion and then spent the next five days in the hospital undergoing extensive testing in an effort to determine the cause of his anemia, nose bleed, and low platelet count.
Days after being released he received a concerning phone call: his test results were abnormal and he would need to undergo a bone marrow biopsy for more information. But first, Jordan would need to retake the same series of biomarker tests, without the flu, to rule out acute infection as the cause of his unusual results.
He waited another week before the results came back -- abnormal again. Now he would undergo the bone marrow biopsy. After two more stressful weeks of waiting for the results, a devastating diagnosis was delivered: He has Cancer and it is called Multiple Myeloma.
Multiple Myeloma is a blood cancer that attacks the plasma cells in the bone marrow which play an important part in the body's immune system fighting infections, and making antibodies that recognize and attack germs.
Myeloma is not a common cancer, accounting for less than 1% of new cancer cases and 10% of all blood and bone marrow cancers. Myeloma occurs most commonly in people over 60. The average age at diagnosis is 70. At the time of writing this, Jordan is only 32. He is in the 2% of cases that occur in people under 40.
In February of 2019, Jordan, alongside his partner, family, and friends, began preparing for the fight for his life!
Jordan has begun his first phase of treatment with a "3-drug combination" treatment that will last four months at City of Hope Cancer Center in Southern California where he resides. He takes a high-dose steroid that targets the myeloma cancer cells and two forms of chemotherapy, one of which is a twice-weekly infusion at the hospital.
Jordan has also started a rigorous diet, herbal, and supplement regimen under the guidance of his Naturopathic doctor that includes high-dose vitamin C infusions twice-weekly, and prescriptions that will help boost his body's immune system to maximize the efficacy of the chemo drugs and also curtail their side effects.
If this first phase of treatment goes as planned, Jordan will then receive a stem cell transplant. This looks like a complicated preparation period of testing and collection of stem cells, a biopsy, an aggressive blast of chemotherapy, daily outpatient trips to the hospital for three weeks, and then a recovery period where he will stay in isolation while his vulnerable immune system rebuilds from the chemo and accepts his transplant. The healing phase will be lengthy and a time of deep rest for Jordan.
As loving friends and family, we've started this fundraiser to ensure that Jordan can focus 100% on getting healthy, rather than how to pay for the treatment and resulting expenses.
Donations gifted through this campaign will give Jordan access to additional treatments that we know can help him fight this aggressive cancer and heal.
Gifts donated via this campaign will also go toward easing the financial burden brought on by the immense expense of terminal disease treatment and care. Jordan's family is 3,000 miles away, spread across Tennessee and North Carolina, making hands-on support challenging. Gina, who has stepped into the caregiver role, and Jordan have both been unable to work full-time.
Already, the cancer has resulted in severe fatigue and bone pain, making a return to Jordan’s physically demanding job as a carpenter/contractor impossible for the foreseeable future. As a result, covering expenses incurred traveling to and from City of Hope for infusions and appointments, additional medicines and care, as well as meeting day-to-day costs of living have become extremely difficult.
Your donation will directly help Jordan receive life-saving treatment, comprehensive care, and cover expenses that will enable him to have the time to fully recover, all of which are desperately needed to ensure a long, rich, cancer-free life ahead!
To DONATE, please click the yellow 'Donate' button at the top of this page. Every amount helps!
Thank you for your generosity in helping Jordan Edwards crush cancer!
#HelpJordanCrushCancer
Please SHARE this page by clicking the 'Facebook' and 'Twitter' buttons at the top of the page, under Jordan's photos.
Copy this URL (www.gofundme.com/HelpJordanEdwardsCrushCancer) and paste it into your Instagram bio or send an e-mail directly to some friends! The more people that know, the more help we can be for Jordan together!
Please tag all of your social media posts with the hashtag #HelpJordanCrushCancer so he can see and feel everyone's support!
Please click ‘Subscribe to Updates’ at the bottom of this page to receive notifications for updates on Jordan’s treatment and progress.
And please take a moment to write an encouraging word for Jordan in the ‘Comments’ section! We look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for your support!
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much can I give?
As much as you want! Any and every amount is helpful and immensely appreciated. To DONATE, please click the yellow 'Donate' button at the top of this page. We encourage you to be thoughtful about what generosity looks like to you and give joyfully. Thank you!
Will I receive a tax-benefit as a result of my gift?
No. Donations made via this fundraiser are considered 'gifts' and donors (you) will receive nothing in return for your donations. You will not receive a tax benefit as a result of your gift. You may feel a pep in your step and a leap in your heart!
Who is Jordan and where is he from?
He is a Southern sweetheart, California-committed by way of Music City USA - Nashville, Tennessee, and the great state of North Carolina. He is a son, a brother, a partner, and a friend. A grease monkey, skilled craftsmen, talented musician, peacenik, and dog-lover. He’s deliberate, thoughtful, humble, curious, and kind, who shares all he has, dreams of equality, and a return to Earth-admiration as a way of life.
Where will the gifts collected by this campaign go?
The gifts collected from this campaign (Help Jordan Edwards Crush Cancer: Multiple Myeloma) will go towards all treatment not performed at City of Hope: Naturopathic doctor, high-dose vitamin C infusions, testing, medications, herbs, and supplements prescribed by ND; additional therapies, alternative supplemental healing therapies; high-quality organic + keto diet foodstuffs; day-to-day costs of living and living expenses while unable to work throughout treatment and recovery; supplemental aid for the caregiver (Gina Ross) to cover travel expenses and unpaid work leave to transport Jordan to/from treatments and doctors appointments. Gina Ross will be acting as agent, receiving, handling, and allotting 100% of the gifts received via this campaign to their appropriate aforementioned channels on behalf of the beneficiary, Jordan Edwards.
To DONATE, please click the yellow 'Donate' button at the top of this page. Thank you!
Can I share this page to help raise support for Jordan?
Please and thank you! Share everywhere as often as you would like! That would be a great help. SHARE this page by clicking the 'Facebook' and 'Twitter' buttons at the top of the page, under Jordan's photos. Or copy/paste the URL and spread the word via Instagram and e-mail! Please tag all of your social media posts with the hashtag #HelpJordanCrushCancer so he can see and feel everyone's support in real time. Thank you!
What is Jordan's current condition?
- Thankfully, early tests confirmed a couple of important things: 1) The absence of holes in Jordan's bones, as well as the absence of lesions on his bones, which are both nasty possibilities due to the nature of Multiple Myeloma, and depend on when it is detected. 2) The cancer has not spread to other vital organs like his kidneys.
- After 1 month of his first phase of treatment with the "3-drug combination" treatment, results point to his immunoglobulin levels getting better and his platelet count is getting better. Other levels remain whacky at present as it still early on in the treatment process at the time of writing this.
- Severe fatigue, bone pain, and mental/emotional strain continue to be most chronic day-to-day effects of Jordan's cancer.
When does Jordan expect to recover?
The battle with Multiple Myeloma has been described as an ultra marathon, not a sprint. This is why your sustained support and sharing are so important in keeping Jordan going for the long haul! To DONATE, please click the yellow 'Donate' button at the top of this page. Thank you!
How can I stay updated on Jordan's journey?
Please click ‘Subscribe to Updates’ at the bottom of this page to receive notifications for updates on Jordan’s treatment and progress. Thank you!
What is Multiple Myeloma?
From the American Cancer Society:
Cancer starts when cells begin to grow out of control.
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells. Normal plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are an important part of the immune system.
In general, when plasma cells become cancerous and grow out of control, this is called multiple myeloma.
In multiple myeloma, the overgrowth of plasma cells in the bone marrow can crowd out normal blood-forming cells, leading to low blood counts.
This can cause anemia (a shortage of red blood cells). People with anemia become weak and fatigued.
Multiple myeloma can also cause the level of platelets in the blood to become low (called thrombocytopenia). This can lead to increased bleeding and bruising.
Abnormal plasma cells cannot protect the body from infections. Normal plasma cells produce antibodies that attack germs. In multiple myeloma, the myeloma cells crowd out the normal plasma cells, so that antibodies to fight the infection can’t be made. The antibody made by the myeloma cells does not help fight infections. That’s because the myeloma cells are just many copies of the same plasma cell – all making copies of the same exact (or monoclonal) antibody.
From Mayo Clinic:
It's not clear what causes myeloma.
Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Plasma cells help you fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs.
Multiple myeloma causes cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow, where they crowd out healthy blood cells. Rather than produce helpful antibodies, the cancer cells produce abnormal proteins that can cause complications.
Men are more likely to develop the disease than are women.
From City of Hope:
Myeloma is not a common cancer, accounting for less than 1 percent of new cancer cases and 10 percent of all blood and bone marrow cancers.
The most effective treatment for myeloma is high-dose chemotherapy combined with stem cell transplant, and City of Hope is a true innovator in this area — with one of the largest and most successful transplantation programs in the world.
To DONATE, please click the yellow 'Donate' button at the top of this page.
#HelpJordanCrushCancer
Thank you!
Jordan received a blood and platelet transfusion and then spent the next five days in the hospital undergoing extensive testing in an effort to determine the cause of his anemia, nose bleed, and low platelet count.
Days after being released he received a concerning phone call: his test results were abnormal and he would need to undergo a bone marrow biopsy for more information. But first, Jordan would need to retake the same series of biomarker tests, without the flu, to rule out acute infection as the cause of his unusual results.
He waited another week before the results came back -- abnormal again. Now he would undergo the bone marrow biopsy. After two more stressful weeks of waiting for the results, a devastating diagnosis was delivered: He has Cancer and it is called Multiple Myeloma.
Multiple Myeloma is a blood cancer that attacks the plasma cells in the bone marrow which play an important part in the body's immune system fighting infections, and making antibodies that recognize and attack germs.
Myeloma is not a common cancer, accounting for less than 1% of new cancer cases and 10% of all blood and bone marrow cancers. Myeloma occurs most commonly in people over 60. The average age at diagnosis is 70. At the time of writing this, Jordan is only 32. He is in the 2% of cases that occur in people under 40.
In February of 2019, Jordan, alongside his partner, family, and friends, began preparing for the fight for his life!
Jordan has begun his first phase of treatment with a "3-drug combination" treatment that will last four months at City of Hope Cancer Center in Southern California where he resides. He takes a high-dose steroid that targets the myeloma cancer cells and two forms of chemotherapy, one of which is a twice-weekly infusion at the hospital.
Jordan has also started a rigorous diet, herbal, and supplement regimen under the guidance of his Naturopathic doctor that includes high-dose vitamin C infusions twice-weekly, and prescriptions that will help boost his body's immune system to maximize the efficacy of the chemo drugs and also curtail their side effects.
If this first phase of treatment goes as planned, Jordan will then receive a stem cell transplant. This looks like a complicated preparation period of testing and collection of stem cells, a biopsy, an aggressive blast of chemotherapy, daily outpatient trips to the hospital for three weeks, and then a recovery period where he will stay in isolation while his vulnerable immune system rebuilds from the chemo and accepts his transplant. The healing phase will be lengthy and a time of deep rest for Jordan.
As loving friends and family, we've started this fundraiser to ensure that Jordan can focus 100% on getting healthy, rather than how to pay for the treatment and resulting expenses.
Donations gifted through this campaign will give Jordan access to additional treatments that we know can help him fight this aggressive cancer and heal.
Gifts donated via this campaign will also go toward easing the financial burden brought on by the immense expense of terminal disease treatment and care. Jordan's family is 3,000 miles away, spread across Tennessee and North Carolina, making hands-on support challenging. Gina, who has stepped into the caregiver role, and Jordan have both been unable to work full-time.
Already, the cancer has resulted in severe fatigue and bone pain, making a return to Jordan’s physically demanding job as a carpenter/contractor impossible for the foreseeable future. As a result, covering expenses incurred traveling to and from City of Hope for infusions and appointments, additional medicines and care, as well as meeting day-to-day costs of living have become extremely difficult.
Your donation will directly help Jordan receive life-saving treatment, comprehensive care, and cover expenses that will enable him to have the time to fully recover, all of which are desperately needed to ensure a long, rich, cancer-free life ahead!
To DONATE, please click the yellow 'Donate' button at the top of this page. Every amount helps!
Thank you for your generosity in helping Jordan Edwards crush cancer!
#HelpJordanCrushCancer
Please SHARE this page by clicking the 'Facebook' and 'Twitter' buttons at the top of the page, under Jordan's photos.
Copy this URL (www.gofundme.com/HelpJordanEdwardsCrushCancer) and paste it into your Instagram bio or send an e-mail directly to some friends! The more people that know, the more help we can be for Jordan together!
Please tag all of your social media posts with the hashtag #HelpJordanCrushCancer so he can see and feel everyone's support!
Please click ‘Subscribe to Updates’ at the bottom of this page to receive notifications for updates on Jordan’s treatment and progress.
And please take a moment to write an encouraging word for Jordan in the ‘Comments’ section! We look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for your support!
Frequently Asked Questions:How much can I give?
As much as you want! Any and every amount is helpful and immensely appreciated. To DONATE, please click the yellow 'Donate' button at the top of this page. We encourage you to be thoughtful about what generosity looks like to you and give joyfully. Thank you!
Will I receive a tax-benefit as a result of my gift?
No. Donations made via this fundraiser are considered 'gifts' and donors (you) will receive nothing in return for your donations. You will not receive a tax benefit as a result of your gift. You may feel a pep in your step and a leap in your heart!
Who is Jordan and where is he from?
He is a Southern sweetheart, California-committed by way of Music City USA - Nashville, Tennessee, and the great state of North Carolina. He is a son, a brother, a partner, and a friend. A grease monkey, skilled craftsmen, talented musician, peacenik, and dog-lover. He’s deliberate, thoughtful, humble, curious, and kind, who shares all he has, dreams of equality, and a return to Earth-admiration as a way of life.
Where will the gifts collected by this campaign go?The gifts collected from this campaign (Help Jordan Edwards Crush Cancer: Multiple Myeloma) will go towards all treatment not performed at City of Hope: Naturopathic doctor, high-dose vitamin C infusions, testing, medications, herbs, and supplements prescribed by ND; additional therapies, alternative supplemental healing therapies; high-quality organic + keto diet foodstuffs; day-to-day costs of living and living expenses while unable to work throughout treatment and recovery; supplemental aid for the caregiver (Gina Ross) to cover travel expenses and unpaid work leave to transport Jordan to/from treatments and doctors appointments. Gina Ross will be acting as agent, receiving, handling, and allotting 100% of the gifts received via this campaign to their appropriate aforementioned channels on behalf of the beneficiary, Jordan Edwards.
To DONATE, please click the yellow 'Donate' button at the top of this page. Thank you!
Can I share this page to help raise support for Jordan?
Please and thank you! Share everywhere as often as you would like! That would be a great help. SHARE this page by clicking the 'Facebook' and 'Twitter' buttons at the top of the page, under Jordan's photos. Or copy/paste the URL and spread the word via Instagram and e-mail! Please tag all of your social media posts with the hashtag #HelpJordanCrushCancer so he can see and feel everyone's support in real time. Thank you!
What is Jordan's current condition?
- Thankfully, early tests confirmed a couple of important things: 1) The absence of holes in Jordan's bones, as well as the absence of lesions on his bones, which are both nasty possibilities due to the nature of Multiple Myeloma, and depend on when it is detected. 2) The cancer has not spread to other vital organs like his kidneys.
- After 1 month of his first phase of treatment with the "3-drug combination" treatment, results point to his immunoglobulin levels getting better and his platelet count is getting better. Other levels remain whacky at present as it still early on in the treatment process at the time of writing this.
- Severe fatigue, bone pain, and mental/emotional strain continue to be most chronic day-to-day effects of Jordan's cancer.
When does Jordan expect to recover?
The battle with Multiple Myeloma has been described as an ultra marathon, not a sprint. This is why your sustained support and sharing are so important in keeping Jordan going for the long haul! To DONATE, please click the yellow 'Donate' button at the top of this page. Thank you!
How can I stay updated on Jordan's journey?
Please click ‘Subscribe to Updates’ at the bottom of this page to receive notifications for updates on Jordan’s treatment and progress. Thank you!
What is Multiple Myeloma?
From the American Cancer Society:
Cancer starts when cells begin to grow out of control.
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells. Normal plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are an important part of the immune system.
In general, when plasma cells become cancerous and grow out of control, this is called multiple myeloma.
In multiple myeloma, the overgrowth of plasma cells in the bone marrow can crowd out normal blood-forming cells, leading to low blood counts.
This can cause anemia (a shortage of red blood cells). People with anemia become weak and fatigued.
Multiple myeloma can also cause the level of platelets in the blood to become low (called thrombocytopenia). This can lead to increased bleeding and bruising.
Abnormal plasma cells cannot protect the body from infections. Normal plasma cells produce antibodies that attack germs. In multiple myeloma, the myeloma cells crowd out the normal plasma cells, so that antibodies to fight the infection can’t be made. The antibody made by the myeloma cells does not help fight infections. That’s because the myeloma cells are just many copies of the same plasma cell – all making copies of the same exact (or monoclonal) antibody.
From Mayo Clinic:
It's not clear what causes myeloma.
Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Plasma cells help you fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs.
Multiple myeloma causes cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow, where they crowd out healthy blood cells. Rather than produce helpful antibodies, the cancer cells produce abnormal proteins that can cause complications.
Men are more likely to develop the disease than are women.
From City of Hope:
Myeloma is not a common cancer, accounting for less than 1 percent of new cancer cases and 10 percent of all blood and bone marrow cancers.
The most effective treatment for myeloma is high-dose chemotherapy combined with stem cell transplant, and City of Hope is a true innovator in this area — with one of the largest and most successful transplantation programs in the world.
To DONATE, please click the yellow 'Donate' button at the top of this page.#HelpJordanCrushCancer
Thank you!
Organizer
Gina Ross
Organizer
Altadena, CA