Leukaemia Bone Marrow Transplant for Fran

From her husband (Ben):

On the 22nd May 2014 my wife Frances was diagnosed with ALL Leukaemia and is currently undergoing extensive chemotherapy. Once she has completed her second phase of chemotherapy she will require a bone marrow transplant and she has 4 siblings that could be a match for donation. Unfortunately all 4 are in the USA and we are in the UK. While the NHS is covering all the costs for her treatment this transatlantic endevour requires more funds than we currently have and we are asking for support for the following costs:

• Sibling Donor Testing in the USA
• Sibling Travel costs to England from USA

The hospital Fran is staying in is an hour away from me by car or train and the costs of transport and since I am going there 4x a week are a lot more than I can budget for so I am asking for support there too. Parking is expensive and while I have enquired a number of times about parking concessions and I've been told there aren't any for me.

• Husband Travel & Parking costs from Home to Hospital

From her sister (Ashley):

On May 21st, my older sister, Fran, was admitted to the hospital in Stafford, United Kingdom with what seemed to be anemia. Two days later we received some devastating news: she had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and would be transferred to a hospital an hour away from her husband in Birmingham, United Kingdom to receive treatment. Being 4000 miles away from her family during a time like this has been very difficult for all of us.

Fran’s doctors have advised us that she will be in the hospital for at least the next 4 months undergoing aggressive treatment, and part of that treatment is to include a bone marrow transplant. They're hoping this donation can come from one of her siblings, as a sibling provides her with the best chance for a successful transplant.

After being transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, my sister was expected to begin her treatment for ALL, however the doctors had great difficulty finding a usable vein. After attempts at a PICC line failed she was given a Hickman Line instead. On May 31st, she received her first round of Chemotherapy. Over the following week and a half she received her next treatments. On June 12th, she developed an infection in her central line, which was very dangerous but thankfully her doctors acted quickly to clear it up. On June 15th her Chemotherapy was stopped due to an unknown problem that has developed with her liver and kidneys. She has also begun to retain a dangerous amount of fluid in her lower limbs due to a complication of being on an insulin pump from high blood sugar caused by steroids given to her for the chemotherapy. Tonight, June 24th, the fluid in her legs caused her to lose feeling in her legs causing her to fall and hit her head. 

Through all the ups and downs, her husband, friends and faith have seemed to be able to keep her spirits up. She seems to be handling her diagnosis remarkably well; though how well one can handle a diagnosis such as this I am unsure.

As with any major medical difficulty, massive expenses are expected such as Ben’s regular train trips to Birmingham, trans-Atlantic airplane tickets, the cost of testing family members for possible donor matches, and all of the small things that add up when a loved one is in a crisis situation. Any donation, no matter how small, is sincerely and truly appreciated from the bottom of our hearts. Since we are all scattered around the world and we all share a love for Fran, we figured this was the best way that friends and family could show their support financially if they so desired. We like to think of it as the 21st century equivalent to a church supper fundraiser. Thank you all so very much.