Goodyear, AZ

If you’re a parent, you probably remember when your child had an ear infection. It’s very common, but you still worry. No one wants to see their little person in pain. Usually, a warm compress, maybe a visit to the doctor, and it goes away.

Kelsey and Austen thought the same when their three-year-old daughter, Blakely, began tugging on her ear. But as their little girl’s discomfort grew, they thought it could be something more serious, so they brought her to the ER.

That visit to the emergency room turned their world upside down. Blakely was rushed in an ambulance to the main hospital, and then her Mom and Dad were told the four words that no parent ever wants to hear: “Your child has leukemia.“

Blakely was diagnosed with AML (acute myeloid leukemia).

Because of the leukemia, her ear infection turned into mastoiditis and she required a double mastoidectomy. Then she underwent several cycles of chemotherapy until she finally reached remission.

Since Blakely was considered high-risk, the doctors told Mom and Dad that a bone marrow transplant was her only chance of survival.

At first, there was hope—two perfect donor matches were found on the national registry. But that hope faded quickly when the first donor didn’t pass the medical exam, and the second one backed out.

After six months of treatment, they performed a bone marrow transplant using Blakely’s Father as the donor. Tragically, the cells didn’t take.

With her life hanging in the balance, they tried one last option. After more rounds of chemotherapy and radiation to prepare her little body, Blakely received a stem cell donation from her Mommy.

The transplant was successful.  

She was three-years-old when she first went to the ER. It seemed like a lifetime had passed by the time she turned four, but now this little girl was finally able to go home.

Their journey was nothing short of terrifying. Blakely fought bravely through countless treatments while her parents battled the ups and downs of their daughters medical crisis. Daddy juggled work and caring for their older daughter at home, while her Mother stopped working to stay by Blakely’s side in the hospital.

The financial toll was overwhelming. Half of their income disappeared, while expenses dramatically increased. Thanks to support from the Icla da Silva Foundation, Kelsey and Austen were able to receive financial assistance for crucial needs during their darkest days.

Kelsey shared her grateful message with us, “Your assistance has allowed me to worry less about our loss of income and truly focus on being there for Blakely. We couldn’t have done it without the support from an amazing foundation like yours!”

You can make a difference for a little girl like Blakely, as they fight to receive a lifesaving bone marrow transplant. Your donation will provide critical support to a family who is facing the unimaginable.

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Please donate and help us be there for those who need us most.

Written by: Bret Itskowitch

We received a heartfelt message from a blood cancer patient last week. It read simply, “You are the answer to my prayer.”

The message was sent to us by Katie. She is a single mom, diagnosed with leukemia whose only cure is a bone marrow transplant.

For 29 years, we have supported patients who require a bone marrow transplant. We are very familiar with the challenges and barriers to receiving a life–saving transplant. It usually begins with the search for a matching donor.

Katie already had a matching donor, and she was ready for her transplant. But the transplant team would not schedule her until she could make arrangements for a Caregiver.

A Caregiver was required to assist her for an extended period after the transplant.

Katie’s insurance, like most, did not cover the expense of a Caregiver.

This was Katie’s barrier.

She has been unable to work since her diagnosis and she required a little support. Fortunately, the Icla da Silva Foundation provided Katie with the financial support she needed to arrange for a Caregiver.

Katie is scheduled to receive her transplant.
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The Icla da Silva Foundation helps patients in need of a bone marrow transplant by removing barriers. We do this by providing emotional, logistical, and critical financial support. Our goal is to ensure that more patients will receive their transplants.

For patients demonstrating financial need, we help with expenses that usually aren’t covered by insurance and often prohibit treatment. These include transportation, temporary housing, and caregiver expenses while in treatment.

You can help us save more lives! Consider making a financial donation to support our mission. Together we will help more patients and save more lives.

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If you are a patient waiting for a bone marrow transplant, and in need of support, please submit a request

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Thanks for reading.

Written by: Bret Itskowitch