Check out Kelly's story on her facebook page: Keep Kelly Kickin' This week is the week, otherwise the transplant can not take place.

A Letter from Lorelei, Another Friend of Kelly's:

I am writing this letter on behalf of Kelly Wasko, whom I have known for about twelve years. Kelly was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma a year ago. She kept this from many of her friends and family until recently, as she didn’t want anyone to worry or feel “bothered” by her problems. She has always been the kind of person who wouldn’t want to burden anyone.

Kelly and I were once roommates, so it is easy for me to say I know her pretty well. She has a zest for life that never ends. She is always happy and upbeat. In addition, she is a giving and caring person. She would give a friend, or even a stranger the shirt off her back. She participates every year in the Toys for Tots drive, actively encouraging all of her friends and acquaintances to give, even if it’s just a dollar.

Kelly has been through a great deal of trials and tribulations over the years. She is always one to pick herself up and keep going, regardless of how difficult it may be. She lost her sister at the age of 24 to cancer, and now Kelly is fighting the same fight and vowing to win, in honor of her sister. Kelly has two small children, Dominick and Danica, and a beautiful 20yr old 'mini-me', Meghan. Dominick and Danica's father left when Danica was just 7 days old. Kelly has struggled to bring up her two small children in a loving and safe environment, always putting them first. She has never had any kind of support from their father, either financial or physical. Kelly is truly a fighter. Meghan lives in Colorado, where she attends college but travels to Arizona to see Kelly, her brother and sister and has a close and loving relationship with all three of them.

Finding a donor for a bone marrow transplant is difficult. The odds of finding a match are one in ten million. Kelly was fortunate enough that her seven year old son, Dominick is a match. Unfortunately, insurance will not cover Dominick being a donor, citing it as an elective procedure. Kelly needs this transplant, not only to save her life, but to make certain she is there for her children. Kelly has no other family support and her children will have no where to go. It’s a dire situation that calls for your support. Kelly would give everything to someone in need and now she has finally learned that it is OK to ask for help. She is asking now, as are her friends and children. Please help to make her transplant possible and give anything that you can. Her future and that of her children are depending on it.

Sincerely,

Lorelei DeLaCruz, RN