Deena's Friends for a Cure

09/08/2025

My dear friend, Jordan Mykal Cross, along with his beloved support dog, lost his housing a few months ago due to no fault of his own. He had a homophobic landlord, who harassed him for six years, and eventually evicted him based on lies!

A short time later, while crashing on a friend’s couch—because he’s now technically HOMELESS, he experienced a serious health crisis. His left big toe had to be amputated due to complications from diabetes.

Jordan almost died from sepsis! He spent over three months in the hospital recovering, and was unable to work his job as a waiter during that time.

MANY THANKS to all who donated to Jordan’s GoFundMe campaign during that time. He is extremely grateful, and so am I.

Now, we are moving to PHASE TWO of the GoFundMe campaign. I’m trying to help Jordan raise enough money for him and his support dog to get a small place of their own, so he can stop couch surfing.

I’m hoping to get 400 people to each donate just $5.00! If that happens, Jordan would have enough money for first month’s rent and a security deposit to either rent a room in a house or a small apartment for himself and his beloved support dog.

If you can find it in your heart to donate this small amount, the cost of a cup of coffee at Starbucks, together, we can all make a difference in this man’s life. Thank you for your support. It is much appreciated.







https://www.gofundme.com/f/gfakf4-support-jordans-journey-to-recovery

07/24/2025

☕️ QUESTION: CAN YOU AFFORD TO DONATE the cost of a cup of coffee at Starbucks—to help my friend, Jordan Mykal Cross, who is recovering after having his BIG TOE AMPUTATED? 🤔

You might be asking yourself, “Why should I donate five dollars? What difference would that really make?”

Well, I’m here to tell you it would make a REALLY BIG DIFFERENCE—because there is power in numbers!

I have over 900 Facebook friends. If 570 people donated $5 each, it would add up to $2,850, and that would be enough for Jordan to reach his fundraising goal!

Or…if 285 people donated $10…he would also reach his goal.

So you can see that even a SMALL DONATION can make a big difference—if done by many people!

Life is short, and we’re all in this world together, so why not help each other whenever possible? When we join together with a common goal, amazing things happen.

There is POWER in numbers, and TOGETHER we all can make a difference in someone’s life. Thank you for your support. ❤️

https://gofund.me/26968e49

07/15/2024

UPDATE: SAD NEWS! Tasha has passed away on August 3, 2024 due to complications from Lupus. She will be missed. 💔😢

Dear Friends, I just created a GoFundMe page for my dear friend, Tasha Shertzer. She is going through a very difficult time right now, and could really use our help. She is suffering from a myriad of medical issues. Please donate if you are able. Thank you in advance for your support.

Dear Friends, My name is Deena Alansky, and I'm raising money for m… Deena Alansky needs your support for Help Tasha Shertzer with Medical & Life Expenses

02/18/2024

20 years ago today, I lost my brother to leukemia on February 18, 2004, one of the saddest days of my entire life. I miss having a big brother. 💔😢

Please tell your siblings that you love them every chance you get! ❤️

And please consider joining the National Bone Marrow Registry if you’re between the ages of 18-55 and in good health.

It’s free to join online. Simply fill out the registration form, and you’ll receive the cheek swab testing kit in the mail. Swab your cheek at home, mail back the kit, and voilà! You will become part of a worldwide network of volunteers with the potential to save a life.

There was no match for my brother in any of the world’s bone marrow registries. NOT ONE! 😳
(I was tested and not a match.)

If someday you are found to be a match, you might truly be the one and only person in the entire world with the power to possibly save someone’s life.

You can be a real life superhero when you join the National Bone Marrow Registry! Thank you for your support. And THANK YOU to all my family and friends who have already joined. MUCH LOVE TO YOU ALL!!! ❤️❤️❤️

https://www.dkms.org/

01/16/2023

YOU CAN BE A REAL LIFE SUPERHERO! I lost my brother to leukemia in 2004. A matching bone marrow donor was his last hope of survival, but NOT ONE SINGLE MATCH could be found in any of the world's registries. And I was tested, and my tissue type was not a match. (Siblings have only a 25% chance of matching.)

Since that time, I have worked to RAISE AWARENESS for the National Bone Marrow Registry! More volunteers in the registry mean more lives will be saved! (I joined in 2003, but sadly, I never matched anyone, and I aged out of the program when I turned 61 last year.)

Anyone in general good health between the ages of 18-55 is eligible to join the National Bone Marrow Registry for FREE ONLINE! Register online, and they will send the cheek-swab testing kit to your home. Mail it back, and you'll become part of a WORLD-WIDE NETWORK of volunteers, just like Ayden Garnes, willing to help save someone's life--if you ever get called as a match!

Join the National Bone Marrow Registry, and someday you might also become a SUPERHERO, like Ayden Garnes!!!
❤️❤️❤️

https://www.post-gazette.com/life/goodness/2023/01/15/duquesne-ayden-garnes-marrow-transplant/stories/202301150007

REGISTER FOR FREE ONLINE AT:
https://www.dkms.org/get-involved/become-a-donor

Ayden Garnes was preparing to board a flight to Boston in December but his phone kept ringing. Calls were coming in from folks he didn’t know, texts...

04/25/2022

YOU CAN BE A REAL-LIFE SUPERHERO when you join The National Bone Marrow Registry! ❤️❤️❤️

As most of you know, I lost my brother (and only sibling) to leukemia in 2004. This NPR story is so inspirational to me! I have been an advocate for the National Bone Marrow Registry ever since my brother’s diagnosis in 2003. He needed a bone marrow transplant, and I was not a match. (Siblings have only a 25% chance of matching.) And there was NO MATCH for my brother in any of the world’s registries. If we had found a match, my brother might still be alive today! 😢

This guy!!! OMG!!! He went so far above and beyond to make this happen. TALK ABOUT DEDICATION!!! Most donors do not require a central line!!! This is a very unique case, and an incredibly determined young man. 👏👏👏

To learn how YOU CAN JOIN The National Bone Marrow Registry for FREE ONLINE, visit https://www.dkms.org/. Register online, and you’ll receive the cheek-swab testing kit in the mail. Swab the your cheeks in the comfort of your home, send back the kit, and you’ll become part of a WORLD-WIDE NETWORK of volunteers—willing to help save a life—if you’re ever found to be a patient’s miracle match.

Anyone in good health between 18-55 years of age is eligible to join. BUT…if you’re ineligible due to age or health issues, YOU CAN STILL HELP by sharing this post, and spreading the word.

Education is the key to adding new people to the registry. Thanks for your help. AND MANY THANKS to all my friends and family who have already joined. ❤️❤️❤️

Mick Chivers signed up to give stem cells. When it came time to help an elderly man with leukemia, the 20-year-old didn't let multiple setbacks stop him from giving a stranger a second chance at life.

02/20/2022

PLEASE HELP IF YOU’RE ABLE! Pittsburgh mom with a teenage daughter is fleeing domestic abuse and must start her life over with next to nothing!

They are currently HOMELESS, and had to split up to stay with separate family members. The mom has found a new job, but can’t start for two weeks.

Let’s help REUNITE this mother and daughter under one roof! The goal is to raise enough money for them to stay TOGETHER in a hotel (temporarily) until enough money is raised for 1st month’s rent and a security deposit for a place of their own—to help this mom become independent—and start a new life FREE FROM VIOLENCE AND ABUSE!

We can’t save the whole world, but we CAN help a family in our own backyard. Your donation in any amount will be greatly appreciated by this Pittsburgh family in their time of need. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. ❤️

Fleeing mother from her abuser. She left while he was out of town. She called… Susan Miller needs your support for Fleeing from abuse and homeless - Case #15

11/29/2021

LOCAL PITTSBUGH MOM WITH 2 YOUNG CHILDREN IS FLEEING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & NEEDS OUR HELP! Please donate, if possible. We can’t save the whole world, but we CAN help a family in our own backyard. Together, we can all make a difference. Thank you.

Fleeing domestic violence - mother with 2 kids needs to work ASAP to pay … Susan Miller needs your support for Fleeing domestic violence - mother with 2 kids

11/14/2021

My cousin Pamela Wright Brinkley, is fighting Stage 3 breast cancer ON TOP OF debilitating rheumatoid arthritis! She is unable to work, and there are always expenses not covered by insurance. This campaign is designed to help her with medical and living expenses.

I HAVE KNOWN PAM MY WHOLE LIFE! Our moms were sisters. She’s 10 years younger than me, and I remember when she was born! She’s like a sister to me.

Please help, if you’re able. No donation is too small. Together, we can make a difference in helping Pam through this difficult time. THANK YOU!!! ❤️❤️❤️

Hello, this fundraiser is to benefit our dear Pam! As some of you know, she is… Leslie Martin needs your support for Pamela Wright Brinkley’s Medical Relief

02/26/2021

PSA for any Pittsbugh residents who are eligible for the Covid vaccine, but have been unable to get an appointment:

FRIDAY IS A HUGE VACCINE OPPORTUNITY DAY IN PITTSBUGH WITH GIANT EAGLE & AHN!!!

AHN expects to release several thousand appointments tomorrow, Friday, February 26th.

When our new vaccine appointments are made available, you will be able to find and schedule them within AHN MyChart, through our telephone scheduling system or on our website at https://www.ahn.org/coronavirus

As you know, COVID-19 vaccine demand far exceeds the available supply and the fastest way to schedule will likely be our website or MyChart. We are currently distributing COVID-19 vaccines to people who fall into the PA Dept. of Health’s Phase 1A guidelines. https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Vaccine/Pages/Vaccine.aspx

Please keep checking our page and our website for the most up-to-date information. https://www.ahn.org/coronavirus


GIANT EAGLE:

For anyone eligible in 1A *Pfizer vaccine will be given (16+ eligible)

Giant Eagle, Inc. announced today a partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers to host a multi-day COVID-19 vaccination clinic in the PNC Champions Club at Heinz Field. Vaccine administration will take place March 2 through March 5 with a significant number of appointments available each day.

Beginning Friday, February 26 approx 8am, the vast majority of Heinz Field clinic appointments will be made available through Giant Eagle’s online scheduling tool.

Eligible patients can visit
https://www.gianteagle.com/covidvaccine
to search for availability and schedule appointments (The link/page will be available tomorrow so it won’t have an error). If additional vaccine supply is made available, the clinic will be extended with additional appointments.

For eligible patients who do not have access to the internet, Giant Eagle Pharmacy is reserving a limited number of clinic appointments to be booked by phone at 1-877-288-2070 beginning Monday, March 1 at noon. Those attempting to schedule an appointment by phone are encouraged to be patient as high call volume and limited appointment availability may result in extended wait times.

Likely go live tomorrow around 8 AM.

02/19/2021

https://youtu.be/obpp_PpLJdc
YOU CAN BE A REAL LIFE SUPERHERO! Join the National Bone Marrow Registry for FREE ONLINE! You might be the only match in the world for a patient in need.

Ever since my brother’s death from leukemia in 2004, I have become an outspoken supporter of the National Bone Marrow Registry.

I was tested, and my tissue type was not a match for my brother, so I was unable to be his donor.

And there was NO MATCH for my brother in any of the world’s registries. My brother might still be alive today if we had only found a matching donor!

Please consider joining the registry if you’re eligible. Anyone in general good health between 18-55 can join. If you’re not eligible, you can still help in a big way by telling your family and friends about the registry. People can’t join if they don’t know it exists!!!

YOU CAN JOIN FOR FREE ONLINE! Register at www.dkms.org, and you’ll receive the cheek swab testing kit in the mail. Swab your cheek at home, send back the kit, and you’ll become part of a worldwide network of volunteers with the potential to save a life! Thank you.

I have been in the registry since 2003, but I have never been called as a match. But I am willing to help save a life if I ever get that call.

We lead the fight against blood cancer by working with families & communities to recruit bone marrow donors & provide patients with second chances at life.