My Brother Has Lymphoma

My oldest brother, Mike, has been battling lymphoma.  Recently, he underwent a stem cell transplant.  As you can imagine, his medical bills are/will be astronomical.  A fund-raising campaign to assist with his medical expenses has begun.  It will be handled through the National Foundation for Transplants (NFT).  For more information, please continue reading the letters from 2 of my nieces (Mike's daughters) as well as from the NFT.  Thanks!  (By the way, here's the link to Mike's page at the NFT . . . and donations are tax-deductible.) 

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January 6, 2010

 

Dear friends and family

 

We, Jennifer Lopez and Andrea Alfonso, are the fundraising campaign chairperson and treasurer for the National Foundation for Transplants California Stem Cell Transplant Fund in honor of our father, Michael Rogers.  As many of you know, our dad has Non-Hodgkin's follicular lymphoma, and at the writing of this letter, is still in the hospital, having just undergone a stem cell transplant a week ago today.  We are hopeful that this transplant, through God's help, will cure his lymphoma. In short, Dad will need assistance to help pay for this expensive treatment, and The National Foundation for Transplants (NFT) is providing us with advocacy, support and useful tools in our fundraising effort.

 

Below this note, please find the official NFT letter along with a link to the NFT website to make a tax-deductible donation.

 

We as a family have already been humbled and amazed at the outpouring of support and love we have received in the forms of prayers, phone calls, emails and cards.  If you feel led, we would ask that you consider any of the following ideas:

 

   --- Consider forwarding the NFT letter below on to anyone you think might be interested in helping.

   --- Consider adding a link to NFT on your website, blog, facebook page, etc., explaining Dad's need.

   --- Consider taking up a love offering at your church.

   --- Let us know if you would like to set up a canister to raise money in your local business, school or church.

   --- Let us know if you would like to hang fliers in your local business, school or church. 

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for your concern for Dad!  We are already so grateful for all your expressions of love.  We will try to update you as we can on both Dad's condition and financial need.  

 

God bless you all, 

Jennifer and Andrea

 

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National Foundation For Transplants

Raising Hope, Changing Lives

 

Winter 2009

 

Dear friend,

 

  Mike Rogers is fighting lymphoma. In 2007, he felt a lump under his right arm. After the initial biopsy, his doctor was very confident the lump was not cancerous. Surprisingly, just days later, Mike received the news that he was suffering from Non-Hodgkin’s Follicular Lymphoma. In 2008, he began his first round of chemotherapy. Although his health began to improve dramatically, a few stubborn spots remained, and a second round of treatment began in 2009. Doctors told Mike a stem cell transplant was critical to his survival.Thankfully, in December, he received an autologous stem cell transplant at the University of California in San Diego, meaning his own stem cells were harvested, treated, and then returned to his body.

     Mike was raised in South America, where he and his family were missionaries. Throughout his life as a missionary kid and pastor, he lived in Brazil, Paraguay and multiple states throughout the U.S. Despite his health challenges, Mike relies on God and the unwavering encouragement of friends and family members throughout the world. Mike is grateful for his valuable support system, including his 2-year-old granddaughter who prays, “Help Papa because he doesn’t feel good.” His wife, children, grandchildren and friends want nothing more than to spend many more years with Mike. They would appreciate your help.

Mike’s treatment is very expensive.

A stem cell transplant costs approximately $300,000, and that’s only the beginning. Even with health coverage, Mike faces significant medical expenses. He will need expensive follow-up care and medication to ensure his body accepts the newly treated stem cells.

When he was originally diagnosed, Mike and his wife, Deborah, lived in Wyoming. When they moved to California to begin working jobs that provided a more flexible schedule for Mike’s doctors’ appointments and evaluations, he had to change insurance companies. His new insurance is very selective about what it will cover, and Mike’s out-of-pocket expenses are very costly. The National Foundation for Transplants (NFT) is working with volunteers and supporters to help relieve the growing burden of expenses for Mike and his family. NFT has been assisting transplant patients with advocacy and fundraising support for 26 years. Your gift of any size will enable NFT to provide Mike with the financial support he needs.

You can help by visiting www.transplants.org/donate/mikerogers to make a donation to the National Foundation for Transplants in Mike’s honor.

If you have any questions about NFT, feel free to contact the NFT staff at 800-489-3863.

Many Thanks.