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March 29, 2017 Barb Trepasso (aka Sarge) was diagnosed with IGA Lambda Light Chain Cell Multiple Myeloma, an incurable form of bone marrow cancer. Initially, the prognosis was poor and we were told to "go home and get things in order, we are buying time."  Anyone that knows Sarge, knows that she's not going out like that and said "Screw You, Multiple Myeloma!"  She has responded better than ever anticipated to the chemotherapy and is now miraculously a candidate for stem cell transplant. We have been traveling to Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York to work with the best Bone Marrow Transplant Team in the country. This is our chance to buy even more time with Sarge until a cure can be developed.   

The road to Buffalo is going to be long one. We are anticipating our journey to begin August 17th with a one week stay in Buffalo when the harvest of stem cells begins. This is done outpatient, and we are required to be within 30 minutes from the hospital. We get a week to come home, then September 1st, admission to Roswell Park Bone Marrow Transplant Unit for the first day towards hope.  During the transplant time, which takes up to 5 weeks, a caregiver is required to stay within 30 minutes of the hospital. The logical choice--Julie. We are currently looking into renting an apartment/studio/flat for 2 months, as post transplant Sarge will be required to stay in the area (withn 30 minutes from the hospital) for 2 weeks before we can make the journey back home to Fulton around October. 

As you can see, the costs of renting a place to live, parking, travel costs, and the fact that Julie will be unemployed during this time in Buffalo is causing a financial hardship on the entire Trepasso-Warren Family. Insurance covers most of Sarge's hospitalization, but there are also things it does not cover (such as this). One chemotherapy injection she has been receiving weekly since April costs $2000. Our system is so broken.  

As proud of a family we are, we recognize it's time to ask for a little help from our friends (and family). Anyone that knows Sarge, knows she is the first one to roll up her sleeves without even being asked and just helps. We have watched her give selflessly to others over the years, a huge inspiration for Julie becoming a nurse.  It's time to show Sarge some love and give back. 

We put the end of the campaign date as August 17th, with anticipation that you will all receive your t-shirts the day of her transplant, September 1st.  Nothing would make us happier than to see you all proudly rockin' them on Day 0 when her fight reallly begins.