As a breast cancer survivor I am acutely aware of what diseases cost. Financially and emotionally.  So if you can pay it forward for a friend, you do.  So I am.

My friend Jim McCaffrey has been diagnosed with MDS or Myelodysplastic syndrome. MDS is a malignant disorder of the bone marrow. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), approximately 18,0…00 people develop MDS each year. MDS can affect all of the cells in our blood.

MDS used to be called preleukemia due to the progression that is sometimes seen from MDS to leukemia. Jim is going to need a  bone marrow transplant. When he finds a bone marrow match he will go to Stanford University Hospital and live near the  hospital for up to a year during treatment (chemotherapy, etc.) and recovery.  He will require an aid to help him day in, day out – transportation, housecleaning, and so forth and so on.

His friends are paying  it forward for Jim and a fundraiser to help him with the enormous costs he will be facing is being planned for late February.  The event is being held at 23 East thanks to the big heart and generosity of Joe Rufo.  Local restaurants are stepping forward to donate food for the event.

The event will be Feb. 28 (snow date March 7) at Ardmore’s 23 East. We will have the place to ourselves from 6-9 p.m with DJ Kevin Murphy. The doors open to the public at 9 p.m. for the band, which begins at 10 p.m. There will be food and discounted drinks. $20 per person. Cash or checks only please.

Far too many of us know what it is like to face daunting medical bills, but how about a lot of what you needed which is also basically the only treatment offered was not going to be covered completely by insurance. If you can help here great, if not and can pay it forward, terrific.

If you are not Philadelphia area local and you are unable to attend the fundraiser, but would like to make a contribution, you may send a check payable to “The Jim McCaffrey Fund” to Main Line Media News, Attn: Pete Bannan, 311 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore PA 19003 or drop it off or mail  to the  Bryn Mawr Trust Company.  The main branch of The Bryn Mawr Trust Company is  801 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania 19010.

Thank you!

*donations are considered gifts and are at this point NOT tax-deductible. But if lots of people gan give a small gift, just think what we can do!

Jim has a website: http://www.jimmccaffrey.com/ . Please visit it.  He can’t live without us.  And selfishly, I would like this amazing human being to stick around :<)