Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a type of cancer that starts in blood-forming cells of the bone marrow and invades the blood.
Jan was hospitalized in January 2017 due to an enlarged spleen, which after some research was diagnosed with CMML. She has been working with the Mayo Clinic, at first in a clinical trial that until the end of this last summer seemed to be helping.
Once it looked like her CMML, was in fact progressing to AML (the acute version of the disease that is very difficult to treat), the treatment option changed to chemotherapy in preparation for a bone marrow transplant, which could potentially cure her cancer. Unfortunately, the national registry did not show any matches and her kids, Craig and Kelly, and her sister, Dar, weren't matches either. At this time, a transplant is her only option of a cure, she can continue chemotherapy for a while, but the cancer will at one point overcome the chemotherapy options, and we will lose her.
Jan is a devoted mother, wife, grandma, and great-grandma for all of us. She is an inspiration of forgiveness, caring and spirit. She deserves only the best, and we are reaching out to you all to join the National Bone Marrow Registry. As it turns out, she has a unique gene that is very rare, so we need as many people to sign up to increase the chances of a possible match.
We ask that everyone please consider joining the national registry, it's free if you are 18-44 yrs of age, and now days, it's easy to donate if you're chosen to save a life, just like donating blood!
https://join.bethematch.org/s/landing?language=en_US&ref=headerjoin&refUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2FENDREFURLThank you!
Erika Hansen
(Jan's daughter in law)
Between myself and Denny, we will try to update this page to keep you all informed. 💜
