Recently some of you were informed about my superhero cousin, Dan. If you don’t know him, you are missing out. His smile will brighten your day and his laugh will make you laugh too. You can talk to Dan about anything…sports, trivia, pop culture, music and all the smart stuff, of course.

He is only 31 years old, but he has stories to tell that could go on and on. He has traveled the world, spent time giving to orphans in Africa, building in Guatemala, Honduras and the United States and just spreading his smile across the globe. If you don’t know Dan, read his entire blog and you will know him well. You will know that in the face of cancer, he continues to have unimaginable strength and super human bravery. You will also know that he has a solid devotion to his family, his friends and God. You can check out his blog here: http://danlyonsall.blogspot.com/

In the summer of 2009, at the age of 28, Dan was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). After treatments, hospital stays and as always, with the help of faith, family and friends, he and his doctors got the cancer into remission.
In April 2010, as Dan continued his treatments (what they called a Maintenance Stage), he married his beautiful wife, Hanna and they looked to get life back on track, always with optimism and love. They moved to Virginia where Hanna works as a Speech Pathologist in Fairfax County Schools. Dan, gaining strength as he continued his battle and with his care now handled by Georgetown Hospital, was working towards getting his PhD in International Economics at George Washington University. They planned, as we all do, for vacations, baseball games, events with friends and family, and their future.

At Dan's Godson's Christening, in late March this year, we talked about their plans for their upcoming 2 year wedding anniversary and Dan’s treatments coming to an end this October. With the treatments behind them, they could finally get back to a life that was “normal”.
The following week, after another routine visit, Dan learned that his Leukemia had returned. The news broke everyone's hearts. The doctors wanted to start new rounds of intense treatment right away and hit that Leukemia hard. Dan is currently enduring an aggressive chemo regimen to get back into remission and prep his body for a bone marrow transplant.
His doctors presented him with the option to go to a treatment center in Seattle, Washington for his transplant. The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center specializes in Bone Marrow Transplants. His doctors feel this is the best option for Dan to receive the best possible care. We want the best for someone that deserves nothing less.
As Dan continues his fight, with Hanna by his side, no matter how strong of a person he is, the physical, emotional and mental stress take their toll. Please help me in trying to ease their financial stress as much as we can.
In the coming weeks/months, if all goes according to plan, Dan and Hanna will have to first travel to Seattle, Washington for a consultation trip and then return for the procedure - approximately a 3 1/2 - 4 month stay. They will need to rent an apartment (and still keep their apartment in Virginia) near the center in Seattle and a car while his body accepts the new bone marrow. Dan won't be in the hospital the whole time, but needs to be nearby with Hanna as his hospital-required caregiver.

While prayers and thoughts have been all that Dan has ever wished for from others, please help us help Dan and Hanna focus on getting him well. Please help us give to someone who is meant to continue giving back on this Earth.

We appreciate any help. Our continued wish and prayer for Dan is that “All will be well”.

Thank you in advance, ALL of Dan's family and friends.

PLEASE continue to check out Dan's blog for updates...
http://danlyonsall.blogspot.com/


***Update...today, Dan has received the news that we have all been waiting for...the Leukemia has remained in remission and it s a "go" for the transplant to occur tentatively on Oct. 29th. There have been many hurdles in the road that Dan and Hanna have overcome. This is the step they have been waiting for.

This fund was started in May of this year, the amount of support that has come through via positive words, prayers and donations is beyond words. These 2 have AMAZING strength on their own, but they have an endless support army of so many behind them. Thank you Thank you to all of you that have helped make this fund an enormous success. Please continue to keep them in your prayers as they approach this final battle to ultimate victory. ALL will be well! xoxo