Our Dear Friend - Mike Rogers

National Foundation For Transplants
Raising Hope, Changing Lives

Winter 2009

Dear friend,


Mike Rogers is fighting lymphoma. In 2007, he felt a lump under his right arm. After the initial biopsy, his doctor was very confident the lump was not cancerous. Surprisingly, just days later, Mike received the news that he was suffering from Non-Hodgkin’s Follicular Lymphoma. In 2008, he began his first round of chemotherapy. Although his health began to improve dramatically, a few stubborn spots remained, and a second round of treatment began in 2009. Doctors told Mike a stem cell transplant was critical to his survival. Thankfully, in December, he received an autologous stem cell transplant at the University of California in San Diego, meaning his own stem cells were harvested, treated, and then returned to his body.

Mike was raised in South America, where he and his family were missionaries. Throughout his life as a missionary kid and pastor, he lived in Brazil, Paraguay and multiple states throughout the U.S. Despite his health challenges, Mike relies on God and the unwavering encouragement of friends and family members throughout the world. Mike is grateful for his valuable support system, including his 2-year-old granddaughter who prays, “Help Papa because he doesn’t feel good.” His wife, children, grandchildren and friends want nothing more than to spend many more years with Mike. They would appreciate your help.

Mike’s treatment is very expensive.

A stem cell transplant costs approximately $300,000, and that’s only the beginning. Even with health coverage, Mike faces significant medical expenses. He will need expensive follow-up care and medication to ensure his body accepts the newly treated stem cells.

When he was originally diagnosed, Mike and his wife, Deborah, lived in Wyoming. When they moved to California to begin working jobs that provided a more flexible schedule for Mike’s doctors’ appointments and evaluations, he had to change insurance companies. His new insurance is very selective about what it will cover, and Mike’s out-of-pocket expenses are very costly. The National Foundation for Transplants (NFT) is working with volunteers and supporters to help relieve the growing burden of expenses for Mike and his family. NFT has been assisting transplant patients with advocacy and fundraising support for 26 years. Your gift of any size will enable NFT to provide Mike with the financial support he needs.

You can help by visiting www.transplants.org/donate/mikerogers to make a donation to the National Foundation for Transplants in Mike’s honor.

If you have any questions about NFT, feel free to contact the NFT staff at 800-489-3863.

Many Thanks.