Passionate Nurse Fighting Leukemia & Heart Failure

The Story ️

In early September at just 33 years old our sister Ketsia Erra Kendall was dealt a devastating blow – she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. For the past three years, she has worked tirelessly as a cardiac nurse and patient advocate, earning several Daisy Awards for superior nursing excellence. In an ironic twist of fate, it was now her time to learn how to be a patient, and after two months of intense chemotherapy, she hoped to reclaim her health and continue her passion for nursing by returning to work as a Patient Care Director at Virginia Hospital Center, the very hospital that treated her cancer.

Post-chemotherapy, it was determined that she would need a bone marrow transplant to fully eradicate any traces of disease from her body. As planning for the next stage of treatment began, on December 6th we discovered that she was also suffering from heart failure as a harsh side effect of the chemotherapy. Over the Christmas Holiday weekend, Ketsia was admitted to the ICU to receive advanced cardiac care and treatment in the hopes of her condition stabilizing enough to receive the bone marrow transplant from a sibling donor. It's been a tumultuous journey, but her spirit remains unbreakable in the fact of all of the challenges.

Adding to the strain of her health challenges, Ketsia's devoted husband Greg recently lost his job. Just days before exhausting the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), his position was terminated. To add insult to injury, he was notified of his termination via email. This has put an immense financial burden on the newlywed couple, as they face not only the emotional and physical toll of Ketsia's condition, but also the looming medical bills and everyday expenses. Family both near and far have been by their side since this nightmare began in early September, but with recent developments, the strain has become too much for us to take on alone.

Any contributions to this cause will help the Kendall's with increased medical bills due to treatment including the advanced cardiac care needed to treat the heart failure, transportation and costs associated with the Bone Marrow Transplant at Johns Hopkins, daily cost of living due to loss of income, and prescription medication costs. Ketsia’s husband Gregory Kendall is listed as the beneficiary of this fundraiser as the head of their household and primary contact for all of her medical needs.

✨ How You Can Help ✨

We are reaching out to our community, friends, family, and anyone who feels moved by this story. Every bit of support, be it a donation or a simple share, can make a world of difference.

1. Donate: Every contribution, no mater how big or small, will go towards Ketsia's medical bills, treatments, and daily living expenses. Your generosity can offer them some breathing room during these trying times.

2. Share: Spread the word! Share this campaign on social media, with friends, family, and colleagues. The more people who know, the more support we can receive for Ketsia and her husband.

3. Send Love: If you're unable to donate, please consider leaving a message of love, hope, and encouragement for the Kendall's. Your words can uplift their spirits and remind them that they aren't alone.

Together, let's rally behind this incredible nurse, wife, and friend. Let's show her that she is loved, valued, and never alone in her battle ahead. She has so much more to contribute to the world, and our family is grateful in advance for your support. Thank you for your compassion and generosity.