Honor John Griffith’s Life With A Gift of Support For Tami

My name is Susan Aiken, and I am organizing a fundraiser on behalf of John and Tami Griffith.

I met Tami one morning years ago when I began road cycling. I was struggling to cycle up the hill, and this dynamo pulled up alongside me and said, “I'll pull you, get on my wheel” and proceeded to cycle in front of me for miles, giving me the much needed physical and quite frankly “emotional” boost to complete my first group ride. I have since seen Tami do this countless times with other total strangers! It's just who she is. Tami rarely asks for or requires any assistance for herself until now...

On October 21, 2023, John was diagnosed with Atypical Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (aCML) with MDS/MPN Overlap Syndrome with three significant mutations. He was initially hospitalized for 10 days and immediately had a leukapheresis procedure to remove white blood cells from his blood. They do this by taking blood from the bloodstream and processing it to separate white blood cells from red blood cells, plasma, and platelets in the blood. Then, the blood is returned to the bloodstream. He has had several cycles of infusion chemotherapy, and two additional hospital stays due to bleeds from bone marrow biopsies. He was scheduled to have a stem cell transplant on February 14, but it was postponed until March 19th. He is considered to be “in remission (temporary)” which is necessary to proceed with the transplant. They are grateful for a 12/12 match from an international donor. It is quite fascinating and creates a sense of immense gratitude for them.

John will be hospitalized for at least 30 days for the transplant. Tami will mostly stay at the hospital with John during those 30 days. However, her dad, who turns 97 in April, lives with them so she will be going back and forth to make certain his needs are met. Tami’s siblings from OH and NC will be rallying to provide help wherever they can.

During the 100 day post-transplant period, John will have 3x a week clinic visits but will not be able to drive. Tami will be driving him (per her, crazy) during that time! The first year after the transplant will be a year of healing. They're fully trusting in God to bring the healing that John needs and to provide the support that they require going forward.

Many of you are aware that Tami was diagnosed with and received treatment for breast cancer in 2019. In true Tami spirit, she positively attributes her cancer healing to her faith and trust in God which provided them with the Levine Cancer Institute (LCI) medical network and with support from family and friends. As a result of her diagnosis, they have been able to rapidly tap into LCI in order to provide John with unparalleled medical care for his cancer healing. At this time, Tami shows No Evidence of Disease (NED)! Praise the Lord! Prayer and excellent medical care work!

John and Tami are small business owners of an IT Managed Services franchise. While they are successfully maintaining business activities with the dedication and competency of their employees, this “blip on the radar” has required them to work from hospital beds, lobbies, exam and lab waiting rooms, infusion chairs and the Keep Pounding Patient and Family Lounge at LCI. All these “healing” activities have stolen time away from focusing on some business and daily life activities. The cost of this healing medical treatment/stem cell transplant is exorbitant even with the best of insurances. The physical, emotional, and financial burden on any family undergoing these treatments is undoubtedly life altering. John and Tami find themselves in need of all types of assistance but tangibly, financial assistance. The financial impact of this diagnosis/treatment will continue to affect them for some time going forward. But they love, serve and know a BIG GOD. He is faithful.

John and Tami are two of the most selfless and giving individuals you can be blessed to call friends. They have been, and remain overwhelmed at the outpouring of love, prayers and support provided. Now is the time to “pay their kindness and compassion forward” and to show love to them throughout this journey.

Humbly, I thank you for walking this path with them and kindly ask that you search your heart to support them financially in any way you can.

Philippians 4: 6-7, 19 reads, “Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.... And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Tami and John KNOW and are TRUSTING that God is in control of every detail of their lives. They are reminded to “Consider it pure joy, brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” James 2-4 NIV.

Please share this go fund me to expand our care network.