Help the Lassletts through Marissa’s Bone Marrow Transplant

Hello, we are Jason and Jennifer Lasslett. We currently live in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where we raised our children, Marissa and Dakota. We owned Seder’s Pizza for a number of years in Newberry and currently work in the public service area. All four of us attended Newberry Schools. Marissa worked at Seder’s during some of her high school and college years. Jason, Jennifer, and Marissa were heavily involved with Luce County 4H from the time Marissa was 5 until after she graduated. Marissa currently lives and works in the Kalamazoo area. This is how you might know us.

Marissa is facing a life-changing medical event. In 2020, she was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia and Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH). Both diseases affect her body in different ways. Aplastic Anemia is caused by Marissa’s immune system attacking her own bone marrow cells, causing the depletion of bone marrow and lowering the production of blood cells. PNH is the presence of mutated bone marrow that produces malformed red blood cells that are broken down prematurely by her immune system. In March 2024, Marissa’s care team came to the decision that her disease was now at a stage to pursue a Bone Marrow Transplant, which is planned for this summer. A full-time caregiver is required for at least 3 months after the transplant. (Mom will handle this.)

Marissa’s diagnosis has affected her life considerably. She has juggled symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue since she was a teenager. After she was diagnosed, trips to the hospital for routine labs and doctor appointments became frequent occurrences. Medications are used to help with symptoms, but they come with their own set of side effects and risks to juggle.

Her predicted prognosis after the transplant is very good because her brother, Dakota, husband and dad of 2 boys, is a 100% sibling match, the best match you can hope for! Because of this, her risks of graft rejection are much lower and complications should be minimal. Once Marissa recovers from the transplant, the outlook is very good that she will be able to live a full life, finish her student teaching and start a career in Arts Education.

Marissa is hard-working, friendly and stubborn, which she will be able to channel into beating this disease! Unfortunately, Marissa and Mom (Jennifer) will have to be confined to an RV or a single-family home near the University of Michigan hospital in Ann Arbor for approximately 3-6 months.

This is where YOU come in!! We need help with living expenses including rent, food, and travel. At this time, we do not know how much of the procedure or medications Marissa’s insurance will cover, but we do know it will not cover all the expenses. Marissa and Jennifer will not be able to work for a 3-12 month period, so every donation helps with our costs. We are estimating needing approximately $16,500.

If you are unable to help monetarily, could you please share our story?

Also, if you know of a 2 bedroom single family rental 10-40 miles from Ann Arbor or an RV site with full hook-up for a 35’ RV, please contact us.