Van's Journey, A Family Affair
Donation protected
Hi everyone, My name is JonEric Garcia from Uvalde, TX. My one and only brother, Van Garcia (54 years old from San Antonio, TX )has been treated for Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML) for many years with chemo and blood transfusions.
As his condition progresses, he now must have a bone marrow transplant. He has been on the world wide donor list for over a year. His unique DNA has resulted with no 100% donor match. I am the best donor for him. I am a 50% match.
We are now both at MD Anderson cancer hospital in Houston, TX . Doctors will attempt a 50% transplant using my bone marrow on October 29, 2015. This will require Van to be in the hospital one month and will need to be close to MD Anderson for at least 2 months after that (at the least.)
Van, and mom and dad have been in Houston since September 1, 2015 for pre-treatment for authorization for this transplant which requires a 24-hour caregiver to help my brother recover. Our mom and dad live in Uvalde, TX,and are in their late 70's. They have closed down their home a year ago in October, 2014, to help Van with his illness.
I, myself, am on disability for a legally blind birth defect. Our mom is also a 6 year cancer survivor. Despite our situation, we are blessed to have a strong, close family connection.
Van is a police officer, who has served the public a total of 27 years, who has been forced to take a reduced medical retirement income. He does have medical insurance but has been trying to maintain two living sites and so many extra expenses in Houston which has been difficult, not only for Van but for my parents too.
I have only the gift of bone marrow for my big brother and the gift of words to ask for your gifts, monetary assistance, prayers and cards which would be greatly appreciated by our family.
I will post his current address at MD Anderson as soon as possible.
Thank you all and God Bless!
As his condition progresses, he now must have a bone marrow transplant. He has been on the world wide donor list for over a year. His unique DNA has resulted with no 100% donor match. I am the best donor for him. I am a 50% match.
We are now both at MD Anderson cancer hospital in Houston, TX . Doctors will attempt a 50% transplant using my bone marrow on October 29, 2015. This will require Van to be in the hospital one month and will need to be close to MD Anderson for at least 2 months after that (at the least.)
Van, and mom and dad have been in Houston since September 1, 2015 for pre-treatment for authorization for this transplant which requires a 24-hour caregiver to help my brother recover. Our mom and dad live in Uvalde, TX,and are in their late 70's. They have closed down their home a year ago in October, 2014, to help Van with his illness.
I, myself, am on disability for a legally blind birth defect. Our mom is also a 6 year cancer survivor. Despite our situation, we are blessed to have a strong, close family connection.
Van is a police officer, who has served the public a total of 27 years, who has been forced to take a reduced medical retirement income. He does have medical insurance but has been trying to maintain two living sites and so many extra expenses in Houston which has been difficult, not only for Van but for my parents too.
I have only the gift of bone marrow for my big brother and the gift of words to ask for your gifts, monetary assistance, prayers and cards which would be greatly appreciated by our family.
I will post his current address at MD Anderson as soon as possible.
Thank you all and God Bless!
Organizer and beneficiary
Diana Madrid
Organizer
San Antonio, TX
Van Garcia
Beneficiary