Dear Chris and all others working with and for your GREAT Group…..THANK YOU for helping me with the funds for Ukiah thru MBF…My guy just had his first of 6 Radiation Therapy treatments and is home for the evening….He came thru with flying colors….He goes every Friday until these are finished…..HE[and I] could not have done this without your kindness and generosity….UkiahHairball and Pam Burton

My name is Eric Jones, and I would like to take the time to thank you Chris, and your entire organization for your contributions to the Magic Bullet Fund so that my puppy Anna can have treatment. when I found out that my Yorkie Anna needed surgery, I was devastated. Not only because of the well being of her health became a liability, but because I did not have the funds to pay for it.

It is people like you that helps me believe that there are people out there who really do care. So again thank you and may God Bless you.

Sincerly,

Eric Jones & Anna Jones

Dear Chris and the DCCF,

I can’t begin to express my thanks for your generous support of cancer treatment for Bailey, our 7 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback. Bailey has been our “child” since he adopted us, in November of 2002 when he was just 8 weeks old. When we received his diagnosis just a little over a week ago, we felt like someone was ripping our world apart.

Bailey was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in his left hind leg. We learned through quick research and advice of our veterinarian that the best treatment option was surgical amputation followed by chemo. I knew that we had to do everything we could possibly do to give our sweet boy a fighting chance. We made an appointment to visit Oregon State Veterinary Hospital to have a consultation with their oncologist. When we were told us at our appointment that we were looking at possibly more than $4000 in treatment costs, I was terrified about how we would come up with such a large amount of money, in such a short amount of time. My husband and I were already facing financial difficulties since I had lost my job at the end of last year, and with trying to stay on top of our regular household liabilities, this was another challenge that we were unsure of how we would face. We always thought we were responsible dog parents by having a “wellness plan” for Bailey through our regular vet, but unfortunately, it did not include any care outside of their facility, which was required for Bailey’s surgery and will be for his chemotherapy treatment.

Your support for Bailey’s treatment will help us to make sure that he will have a fighting chance against this disease. We want to give Bailey every chance at a healthy and full life (he’s still very much full of it!), and your generous support and compassion for helping people who are facing financially difficult decisions when faced with such unimaginable news is a blessing. He has had his surgery, is recovering well and adapting to his new life quickly.

Our utmost thanks, again, for helping us – to help Bailey have a fighting chance. We believe in him, and have hope that with right care, he will continue to live a happy and full life for a long time to come. We’re so thankful for organizations like The Dog and Cat Cancer Fund that believe in helping our loved ones overcome this horrible disease.

Thank you,
Bailey, Stacy & Ray

Hello Chris

I am writing you to thank you from the bottom of my heart, Without your donation towards Jazzmine’s treatment and the Magic Bullet Fund I would not have been able to have my little girls surgery and treatment. You are the kindest person in the world and I appreciate this so much. Jazzmine loves you too and I will have her give kisses to you for saving her and giving her a longer life.

Thank You
David Mazuroski

My name is Kristie Sullens. My husband Johnny and I live in Metairie, la with 2 dogs that we love like children.

Angel is a 5 year old Carolina Yellow Dog aka American Dingo that wandered out of the woods and into our hearts when she was just a pup. Angel has another ½ named Romeo. They are everything to each other. They’re more than friends, lovers, or even family. They’re best mates. They’re a pack.
Johnny and I were married in New Orleans in 7/2009. Romeo was the ring bearer and Angel was the flower girl. 2 weeks after tying the knot Johnny found a lump on Angel’s belly during their daily Poochie Pilates session.

We immediately contacted our trusted family vet. She scheduled Angel to come in the next day to run blood work and diagnose the lump.

She started Angel on 2 medications; Antibiotics to take the swelling down & a drug to stop cell regeneration in case it was a mast cell tumor. The following week we received a call from the vet’s office; the tests came back negative for cancer. We continued the antibiotics & were told to contact the doctor if the tumor persisted. 2 weeks later the lump had been reduced, but it was still very noticeable. The alarming part was Romeo’s constant fussing over Angel’s tummy. This behavior was highly unusual so we took him seriously and called vet right away.

Angel returned to the clinic and the doctor took a deep tissue sample of the lump. 4 days later the tests came back and the Doctor called to give us the gut wrenching news.
Angel’s tests came back and the lump was malignant. Our baby girl tested positive for cancer and she would need to begin treatment ASAP!

We were referred to an internal medicine vet that specializes in Lymphoma. I composed myself, held back a tidal wave of tears & read the number I’d just written through blurry eyes. I dialed the number & scheduled Angel for “staging” the following week. Johnny, Romeo & I accompanied Angel to her appointment as a family.
Angel was diagnosed with Stage II Lymphoma. The doc strongly suggested chemotherapy, but radiation was not an option due to the location of the tumor. Angel’s prognosis w/chemotherapy alone is 6 months–1 year after the chemotherapy protocol has ended.
Fact: 98% of dogs that receive chemotherapy alone will relapse within 6 months to 1 year. The survival rate is only 0-2%. These statistics are unthinkable! Especially when you consider that dogs are affected by cancer 3 times more often than humans.

The first thing out of Johnny’s mouth was, “Is there a cure?” With so many advancements in science he just knew that there had to be something out there to save Angel’s life.
The doctor returned 2 hours later with excellent news! She said, “You wanted a cure, you got it!” While we were waiting for Angel, the doctor was calling her colleagues from across the country to find an answer. All of the doctors came to the same conclusion. The only way to begin CURING canine lymphoma is with, CANINE BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION.

The procedure is being offered to the public at North Carolina State University’s Veterinary Teaching. NCSU started offering this procedure in 2008.

Did you know that 95% of transplants performed on humans were tested on dogs first?

Our hopes soared when heard about this once in a lifetime opportunity to save Angel! The Dr. informed us that the average cost for a canine bone marrow transplant procedure is $16,000. My husband didn’t blink before saying, “How long do we have to raise the money?”

The bone marrow transplant is available to dogs in remission for the first time, of a certain age, over 50lbs and with no damage to any organs. If all of the requirements are met she’ll qualify to receive the cure at end of her 25 week chemotherapy protocol.

Angel began chemotherapy on 9/24/09. By week 2 Angel’s CBC showed that Angel was in complete remission after only 1 treatment. The following preliminary tests were administered to qualify Angel for the BMT; bone marrow aspirate – to determine cell type, echo’s – to check her heart & organs, ultra sounds – to check her organs and various blood tests. Angel’s qualifying tests confirmed that Angel is a perfect candidate for the BMT. She’s scheduled to receive the procedure on May 3, 2010 at North Carolina State University. This is the same procedure used on humans, performed on machines that were donated by the Mayo Clinic. They’re called leukopheresis machines and they harvest the patients own stem cells. No donor is necessary!

On April 19, 2010, Angel will begin taking a drug called Neupogen for six days to encourage stem cells to leave the marrow and enter the blood. Once these cells are harvested, Angel’s entire body will be subjected to radiation (called total body radiation or TBI) to kill any remaining cancer cells left. Following the total body irradiation, the marrow is transfused into the patient.

As of 3/22/10, NCSU’s BMT Unit has performed the procedure on 14 dogs with B-cell Lymphoma. Angel will be number 17.
Number of dogs with B cell lymphoma that have received the bone marrow transplant = 14
• 9 are in remission living cancer free lives!
• 2 died from causes un-related to lymphoma.
• 3 have relapsed; 2 are deceased, and 1 is back on chemotherapy and doing well. Dogs who relapse seem to do so within 4 months post transplant.

The longest survivor post-transplant is 15 months and the second longest is at 13 months! Other recipients are 1 to 10 months out from the date they received the BMT. Angel is completely finished with her 25 week protocol and once chemo is stopped there are no guarantees. We’re thrilled that the BMT (Bone Marrow Transplant) and chemo being back to back, because then there is zero room for relapse.

So far we’ve raised $11,000 of the $16,000 needed to save Angel’s life. We purchased pet insurance for the 1st time just before Angel was diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately, we didn’t purchase a “Cancer Rider” when we enrolled, so what they covered was minimal. Johnny and I you’re your help to pay for Angel’s life-saving procedure. We are still raising donations through events, garage sales & eBay. Chemotherapy: $7,500
Qualifying Exams: $3,000
Pre-BMT Medications: $3,000
Helping a dog win its fight against cancer: PRICELESS!

Angel has the rare opportunity to fight cancer and win! But she can’t do it without your help. We are grateful for anything that you can offer to help us Save Angel’s life, no amount is too small. We have until May 3, 2010 to save Angel’s life and I’m confident that with your help we will reach our goal in time! We encourage you to share this story with your friends, prayer groups, families and message boards! Thank you! Kristie Sullens – Angel’s Mama

Dear Chris,

Angel, my 4 1/2 year old border collie, and myself want to thank you from the bottoms of our hearts for donating funds to her cancer treatments. You can’t imagine how much we appreciate the help from you and the Magic Bullet Fund. You are wonderful people and have given Angel a chance to beat this horrible disease, lymphoma, which she was diagnosed with in Oct of 2009. Without you guys, Angel would not be here today and I can’t imagine life without her. She and my 11-year-old son are my life. Again, thank you so much!!!!

I would like to share her most recent photo taken March 20, 2010, when Texas was hit with 12″ of snow. She absolutely loved it.

Sincerely,

Stacia & Angel Loving

Dearest Chris,

My name is Rhena and I am mommy to an eleven year old dog named Gizmo. Gizmo has been a member of our family for more than ten years. Gizmo means the world to my ten year old son Sam, my mother (a disabled senior), and of course her mom!

About one month ago we were told that Gizmo had bone cancer. She was limping and in a lot of pain. The vet recommended the arm that the cancer was in, her forearm, be amputated as soon as possible. We absolutely could not come close to affording this expense. We had no hope. Until we discovered The Magic Bullet Fund and Laurie Kaplan. She was able to use part of your donation to get the surgery Gizmo needed! It was not easy but we did it and could not have without YOU!!!

Gizmo came home from surgery today. She is tired BUT walking, eating, and loving life. From the deepest core of my heart, THANK YOU!!! I know there are many cases like mine, people feeling the deep despair associated with the inability to financially care for the animals they love. I am grateful to know there are people out there like you.

For restoring hope that our girl has a chance to experience more life we are sincerely grateful!

Sincerely,
Rhena, Sam, Naomi, Gizmo, and her brother J

Dear Chris and DCCFund,

Tokyo Pete and I want to thank you for all of your help. He is doing so much better since his sugery and is starting to get back to being himself again. He is my best friend and I can’t imagine life with out him. When I was living in Kansas 5 years ago, one of my friends worked for the local vetrinarian. One night I mentioned to him how I wished I had a little puppy friend. And days later he came over with Tokyo Pete. Tokyo was 4 weeks old and he could fit inside a bread pan he was so little. There was a large puppy breeder who lived there and one of the puppies in her litter (Tokyo) was born with both genders, so she had dropped him off at the vets to be uthinized. Thank god my friend thought of me to care for Tokyo because I couldn’t have asked for a better campanion. Later on Tokyo and I made the big drive back to New England to live with family. Where everyone fell deeply in love with him, just like me. He is one of the family and well loved, he has a sunny personality and loves meeting new people and other animals. Then this past year when I was giving him a scratch under his chin I noticed he had a bump on his chest, it didn’t feel normal and I called the vet immediatly. When he visited, the doctor said that it was most likely a cancerous tumor and did a biopsy. When we got the results back we were all devistated. My eye start to tear everytime I thought about how he was feeling, sleeping all day, not eating, crying. He was in so much pain and he needed to have surgery to remove the tumor. I was in between jobs and couldn’t support him the way I should. So I talked to my little sister who works at a local pet store and she suggested to get in touch with the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund. So I did, and I just can’t tell you enough how my heart swells with happiness being able to see Tokyo full of life and healthy from his surgery. Tokyo and I deeply appreciate all of your help. Your gracious donation has helped us get through this difficult time.

Thank You So Much!

Tokyo & Lillian

Dear DCCFund,

I wanted to thank the dog and cat cancer fund donors for donating $750 to Iggy’s cancer treatments. It is much appreciated and Iggy is grateful too. Iggy is my best friend and it means a lot to me that he is getting funding. I am hoping that these treatments are a success and that he can beat this nasal tumor like he beat the mast cell grade 3 one year prior.

Thank you so much one again.

Dustin

Dear Chris and the DCC Fund,

Thank you for your generous offer to help Daggit with her cancer treatment! It has been 3-months since Daggit was diagnosed. Through this journey, I’m constantly inspired and grateful for the generosity of spirit I’ve been fortunate to be part of It is because of the help of absolute strangers – fellow animal lovers – that I have been able to continue Daggit’s treatment.

When my girl was diagnosed, I had to put her expenses on my credit card and was approved for CareCredit. With a maxed out credit card and approaching my limit on CareCredit, I figured there had to be help out there for people like me – single and unemployed for almost a year. I feel so fortunate to have found the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund and that Daggit is receiving the financial help we need to continue her treatments. 



Daggit’s cancer journey has definitely served as a reminder, that no matter how trivial it may seem, please take your pups to the vet. And get pet insurance before it’s too late! I took Daggit to the vet for what I thought was a bee sting in her paw and it turned out to be cancer. You can never be too careful. We hope that early detection and taking action to amputate her toe helped save her. She is now on chemo and is doing very well. I just want to give her the best chance possible. 

Many thanks to the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund for the support and donations my girl has received. Your help is giving Daggit the chance she deserves.

Every dog deserves the chance to fight and to keep on living and loving unconditionally. I’m so grateful that Daggit chose me at that puppy rescue 9 years ago and I will do everything I can to see to it that she has many more years of playing ball and romping at the beach.

Thank you so much for your generous support,

Nicole & Daggit … and her brother Vegas