Help offset Vanessa’s Leukemia treatment costs

I am writing today to ask for your support and generosity in the wake of a devastating medical diagnosis. A few weeks ago, my cousin Vanessa (age 26) began experiencing severe health symptoms that have led to a diagnosis of B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Vanessa and her husband, Brandon, are hard-working young professionals, and I am deeply hopeful that we can band together to help offset her treatment costs. Please see more information below, and thank you kindly for any support you are able to give- whether monetary or by sharing the link to this fundraiser.

A month ago, Vanessa contracted Covid-19 and was sick for 2 weeks until she was testing negative. Once she tested negative, some symptoms began to improve, while others remained and worsened. She was experiencing severe shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, and chronic fatigue to a degree she had never experienced. Even just walking from the bedroom to the bathroom of the studio apartment she and Brandon share would leave her out of breath and needing to rest. She was seen by her primary care physician shortly after these symptoms began and was told that she had an unexplained irregular heartbeat and that she should probably check in with a cardiologist in about a week or so.

Brandon, seeing how sick his wife was on a daily basis, refused to accept that answer (or lack thereof) from her PCP and brought her to UMASS hospital in Worcester. The tests that doctors ran there showed that her red blood cell count was so low that if it had gone untreated, it could have been fatal. She was admitted for four days, given three blood transfusions, and numerous medical tests. When there was still no definitive answer from the initial tests, doctors recommended a bone marrow biopsy which confirmed the Leukemia diagnosis, with a plan to begin an intensive round of chemotherapy right away. Vanessa has been in the hospital since before Thanksgiving and will almost definitely be there through Christmas and New Years as well.

Vanessa and Brandon have been together for 10 years and married for 3, and they are my daily reminder that true love exists. The love they share is beautiful and rare. They are some of the hardest workers I know, working tirelessly to save money to secure a prosperous future for themselves and the family they hope to start soon. Brandon is a USPS mail carrier, and Vanessa worked in environmental services at Athol hospital prior to her diagnosis. They have done everything right; been loyal to each other, exhibited strong work ethics and financial responsibility and have consistently risen above challenges they face. All while loving each other with true fierceness and deep dedication. I am confident that they will get through this, but the cost of treatment will not only wipe their savings but will also put them in debt. All proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards Vanessa’s Leukemia treatment costs and cost of living as she is unable to earn an income as she gets chemo treatments twice a day, and then will need ample recovery time before she is able to return to work.

Thank you so much for reading this. On behalf of Vanessa, Brandon, and the rest of our family, we are endlessly appreciative of any prayers, donations, or shares of this fundraiser page that you are able to offer during this holiday season. Much love to all, and happy holidays.