Bone Marrow Surgery Candidate
Jul 28th, 2010 | By Patrice | Category: Open Directory ProjectAbout Rachel:
At age 14, Rachel Hunnicutt-Knight, a sophomore at Keller High in Texas, went to her doctor’s office thinking she had strep throat. Instead she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Within a few hours, she had a biopsy and by the end of the day received her first round of chemotherapy.
That night Rachel’s room was full with family and friends. Sandy Hunnicutt, Rachel’s mother, was there to offer explanation and to calm Rachel’s nerves. ” ”Here’s the deal; You’re going to get sick, and you’re going to lose your hair, but from everything I’ve read so far, this is a do-able deal…” Sandy told Rachel.
Between treatments, Rachel balanced high school and working at a bank. She finished treatments just before graduating with honors from Keller High School in 2004. There’s always a danger… but things looked good, and rolling with the punches, she moved on with life.
Fast Forward…
Rachel is out of high school, married, and works at a local bank. She has a daughter… Alexis. Then, though in clinical remission for 7 years, she relapsed. She’s been undergoing relapse treatment for 2 years, but now tests indicate the cancer spread to her bone marrow. The ONLY option now, an operation for bone marrow replacement.
The Cost of Staying Alive… even WITH Insurance
Rachel is employed, and has insurance. Great, right? You be the judge. The bill for the coming operation… the part NOT covered by insurance, is estimated at around $80,000. Hence this website, created by friends of the family.
The Hunnicutts have long been generous with their time and anything else they had when a friend was in need. They’re just normal folks, and frankly neither they nor their Rachel can foot that bill. A fund has been set up to address these medical bills. http://www.got-marrow.org/
Posted on behalf of ODP Colleague Rob Jones http://robjones3030.wordpress.com/
