Help! Mike has to Trade his Scrubs in for a Hospital Gown!

Hello, my name is Angela Cafasso, and I have created this GoFundMe for my close friend, Michael Laxton. Mike is a full-time nurse within the Jefferson Health System, as well as a per-diem nurse at Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ. Mike, age 46, was diagnosed with Ph+ Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in 2015. Unfortunately, in the last year, his Leukemia has developed mutations that have caused the oral medications to become ineffective. Mike is no longer a candidate for this type of treatment and the only option left is a Bone Marrow Transplant.

This transplant requires a rigorous, pre-transplant set of tests to occur leading up to the actual procedure. This will bring us to June 3rd for hospital admission for the procedure. This transplant will have Mike in the hospital for roughly 4-6 weeks, followed by a “sterile” home recovery for an additional 6 months, at a minimum, barring any complications. As a result, Michael will be out of work until January 2025. Mike does not have a biological match but thankfully, the hospital has found Mike a 10/10 non-biological match.

Mike is a wonderful and loving husband to Jenny (22 years) and amazing father of three beautiful children, who are very active in the West Deptford, NJ schools, sports and the community. Jenny is an English teacher at Williamstown High School and a part-time real estate agent. They also have a strong faith in Jesus Christ with a supportive church family at Fellowship Bible Church in Sewell who are praying for Mike already!

Family has always been Mike and Jenny’s priority. With this upcoming transplant, life as they know it will be significantly altered financially. Mike’s disability income will cover just a small fraction of what they live on, currently. Mike’s salary covers 80% of their current living expenses, but his disability income will only cover roughly 20%.

To say that Mike and Jenny are overwhelmed and concerned about the immediate future is an understatement. While they are bracing for the financial impact as best as they can, there is a mountain to climb directly in front of them. With Mike unable to work for almost a full year, they are not sure how they will be able to make ends meet.

Would you please, pray for Michael, Jenny and their children. Additionally, If you are able to contribute in any way, every donation would be helpful. Your donation would be used for their monthly mortgage, household and general life expenses during the treatment and recovery phase. This will be a long and tough road for Mike and his family. As their community, family and friends, let's shower them with our love and support so that they will not feel so alone and helpless during such a scary time in their lives.