Pam and Dave Burns

Here is a letter from the newest family we helped. Thanks to everyone who continues to support the DJD Fight On Foundation, so we can help families like these. Check the website out in a few days www.djdfighton.org for a picture of Pam and Dave Burns.

Dear Mindy and the DJD Fight on Foundation:

As a writer, I was almost at a loss as to how to start this letter to Mindy and your group. I want to find just the right words to express to you the gratitude Dave and I feel about your generous donation. Throughout Dave’s ordeal I have been consistently and constantly amazed at how generous, supportive and wonderful people can be. It is truly inspiring and very humbling.
First, let me tell you a little bit about Dave. He was first diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia 15 years ago when he was in his 30s. He did receive an auto transplant at that time, which put him in remission for one year. He then received a second transplant from a MUD (Matched Unrelated Donor). The second transplant was successful in keeping Dave in remission for 14 years!! In August 2009, just days before our 2nd wedding anniversary, Dave got a call from his doctor that his leukemia had returned. He underwent intensive chemotherapy, which was successful at putting him back in remission for a year. By February 2011, the leukemia had returned once again. Dave just underwent inpatient chemotherapy at Fox Chase/Temple in Philadelphia for 5 days. He is now at Geisinger slowly recovering, as we wait for his white blood cell count to return. He has had a few fevers, but other than just general tiredness and some pain, Dave is doing well. We just received word that he will receive a Donor Lymphocyte Infusion (mini-transplant) in a few weeks back at Fox Chase/Temple.
If anyone knows Dave, they know what a positive person he is. His trademark optimism has helped to keep me sane through much of this, since I did not know Dave when he was first diagnosed. In fact, when Dave was well he often called on and visited others in the community who were diagnosed with leukemia. A few years ago he also participated in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training event, bicycling 100 miles in one day and raising $5,300 for LLS.
I will say that Dave has some bad days. Now on the cusp of receiving his 3rd bone marrow transplant, Dave has the worries of not only will the transplant be effective, but he worries about me and the bills as well – something I constantly tell him not to worry about, instead telling him to concentrate only on himself and getting better. The generous donation from the DJD Fight On Foundation will help tremendously in negating Dave’s fears about me and the household bills. Truth be told, we both had tears in our eyes when I read the email from Mindy telling us how much your foundation agreed to give to us.
You are truly doing something wonderful and carrying on a great legacy in Derrick’s memory.
As I stated earlier, Dave and I have been truly blessed to encounter such wonderful people that have offered us prayers, support, and donations to help us through this journey.
Thank you Mindy and DJD Foundation for all that you do. It is nice that you can offer a lending hand, having experienced what many of us are experiencing now – trying to fight this horrible disease, supporting our loved ones, paying our bills, working, traveling to and from appointments – all which are very taxing to the spirit and the physical body. Mindy, you are an incredibly strong person for reaching out and helping others as you do. You understand how overwhelming it all can be and we thank from the bottom of our hearts.
Our hope is to pay it forward when we get the chance.
In Sincere Appreciation,
Pam and Dave Burns
Thanks and Have a Great Day!

Pamela Brennan Burns