Support Annie’s Courageous Journey
Join us supporting Annie Buckles during her battle with Leukemia, helping cover bills and unexpected costs. Your donation helps ease Annie’s financial burden, ensuring she can focus on her recovery without worries about housing or utilities.
- Help Cover Medical Expenses
- Provide Rent and Utility Support
- Offer Emotional Encouragement
- Connect and Grow Community
By giving, you are part of fostering a caring community that uplifts and inspires hope during this challenging year ahead.
All donations are tax-deductible when donating through the Neighborly Giving Foundation (EIN 33-2090751).
Annie’s Story
Like any other day, Annie was her vibrant self, hanging out with friends, walking dogs, and savoring life’s little joys. Then, one afternoon, fatigue hit her like a ton of bricks. She chalked it up to a busy week and took a long nap, thinking, hey, who doesn’t need a good snooze now and then?
While dog-sitting a lively bunch of furry fans who couldn’t keep their paws off her, Annie noticed something odd, bruises popping up like unwelcome party crashers. Normally, a bruise here and there wasn’t a big deal, but these were everywhere, appearing with minimal effort. Still, Annie shrugged it off. After all, she’d survived far tougher challenges during her two years as a missionary in Cambodia.
But then came July 31st. Annie felt faint, dizzy, and looked paler than a ghost at a vampire convention. Alarm bells rang, so she called her primary care doctor, got some lab work done, and waited—because waiting is the worst part. By Friday night, she knew something was off, and Saturday morning found her and a friend speeding to Urgent Care. Neither expected drama, but the doctor took one look and said, “Nope, she needs more than this.”
On August 1st, Annie checked into UPMC St. Margaret in Aspinwall, and her journey with leukemia began. Enter the dream team: PA Cassi and RN Andre, sharp-eyed and compassionate, ready to steer her through the storm. Everyone was kind, empathetic, and, best of all, transparent. Annie was in excellent hands and about to meet a whole crew committed to her recovery. Cassi and Andre prepped her for the road ahead. Though the official diagnosis was days away, they suspected leukemia. First step: boost those blood counts with a transfusion before transferring her to UPMC Shadyside in Pittsburgh, a top-tier hospital known worldwide for oncology care.
By August 2nd, Annie had undergone three blood transfusions, received multiple platelet doses, and started initial chemo drugs designed to help while they awaited the final diagnosis. This treatment was like a warm-up act before the main event. Her hospital stay will stretch to 30 days, filled with daily chemotherapy. The road to recovery? A marathon, not a sprint, up to a year of alternating chemo drugs, rest, and resilience. One drug for two weeks, another for four, all balanced with time to recharge.
Through it all, Annie’s spirit shines bright. Her faith is her rock, and has blessed her room with an aura of peace, hope, and joy. She’s got a killer sense of humor and is taking on these first-time experiences like a pro.
As of August 4th, the diagnosis is official: Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL). Surrounded by amazing doctors like Dr. James Rosetti, PA Caroline, and a team of wonderful nurses, Annie remains upbeat. She cherishes visits from family, church friends, and pals. Being the extrovert she is, Annie would love to see or hear from you! If you’d like to send her a note, drop one below, she receives them daily, and they brighten her days more than you can imagine.
Neighborly Giving Foundation is ensuring all donations are given to Annie to take care of her needs. Click the button below to donate and become part of our growing community.
