Dear Family & Friends,

In November 2014, mine and my family's lives were forever changed. I was diagnosed with aggressive Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. After undergoing 6 cycles of chemo, my PET Scan revealed that my cancer did not completely respond and was growing fast.
I was referred to MD Anderson and underwent a mediastinal surgical biopsy. I developed an esophageal fistula and was rushed from my home in Lafayette, La. to MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. Unable to eat or drink, I was placed on a feeding tube for 70 days, all the while undergoing several rounds of intense chemo. My fistula eventually healed and I underwent an autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT) transplant on December 23, 2015.
My wife and I were finally able to return home after living in Houston and MD Anderson for 5 months. It has been a very tough and trying journey and I continue with weakness, fatigue, tremors, decreased appetite and low blood counts.  As my future prognosis is uncertain, I remain faithful with my trust in the Lord and appreciative of the prayers from family and friends.
My family and I have attempted to take care of financial obligations ourselves and have realized we need help. Between medical bills, living expenses and health insurance payments to COBRA, we have exhausted our savings, and monthly disability payments only go so far.
The Bone Marrow BMCF’s One-to-One Funds are designed to support patients through this difficult transplant journey.  Thank you in advance for your support.  All gifts are tax deductible.

Regards,
Byron Charles Matherne