When Marcia Brunner's insurance dropped her coverage for a stem cell transplant, the community stepped in to raise money for the medical procedure, which may save her life.

The insurance company, which was to pay for 90 percent of cost of the operation, told Brunner the procedure was too experimental and unproven.

"The insurance reneged on the stem cell transplant," said Brunner's son Dan Johnson.

She was left with the challenge of raising $379,000 for the operation originally set for March 1. Brunner, 59, and her husband, also named Dan, mortgaged their home and tapped into retirement accounts to come up with funds. They raised over $250,000.

"That put everything on the line to move forward with treatment," said Johnson.

"They have had to scramble in a short time," said Brunner's longtime friend Ed Medieros, director of the Phinney Neighborhood Association. "It was absolutely devastating. Without it they cannot move forward."

Well known in the Greenwood and Ballard community for her volunteer work, people have rallied behind Brunner, raising $28,000 to help pay for her medical costs.

Johnson said money has been coming in to his mother's Washington Mutual account from word of mouth and reports in the local media.

"Fundraising has been awesome," said Johnson. "I've seen a lot of donations coming in from people we don't know. The volume has been significant. It has added up."

A nine-year old girl named Amanda in Spanaway gave 90 percent of her March allowance to help Brunner after seeing a television news story. The other ten percent went to her church.

Brunner started chemotherapy last Sunday at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Tuesday she went through low dose, full-body radiation and Wednesday she rested.

Her stem cell transplant is scheduled for March 15. An anonymous 35-year-old man from somewhere in the United States is the donor.

Brunner had been scheduled for the transplant on January 30 but an infected lung forced the operation to be postponed. The next day, the insurers delivered the bad news.

"Right now, I'm in limbo," said Brunner at the time.

"We had verbal assurance the insurance would cover the cost," said Johnson. "They changed their tune on that."

In October, Brunner's husband, Dan told the News-Tribune the situation was a big financial hit against the family.

This was when the couple thought they had to raise $50,000 to pay for the donor search, testing, procurement of that match and ten percent of the expense of the operation.

Brunner, a dedicated community volunteer for more than 20 years, has helped out with the Phinney Neighborhood Association, Greenwood Senior Center, the Greenwood Seafair Parade and has tutored students at Adams Elementary School.

Since news of her battle with leukemia got out last fall, people have rallied on Brunner's behalf, raising money for her medical care.

Hundreds of people attended a benefit dinner at St. John's Catholic Church. Businesses in Greenwood provided free food.

The dinner raised $10,000. A rummage sale brought in $4,400 and members of the community donated money to bring the fundraising total to $22,000, said Medieros.

Funds raised by friends, family and the Greenwood and Ballard communities have also been a great help.

"It's just awesome, the community stepping in to help out as needed," said Johnson. "A lot of friends and family have found amazing resources."

In 1996, Brunner was first diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. Chemotherapy treatments held the cancer in remission for six years.

The cancer returned in 2002 and doctors used Brunner's own stem cells, harvested when she was healthy to save her life. For the latest stem cell transplant, doctors have found a stem cell donor who is an 85-percent match.

Besides their son Dan, the Brunner's have daughters Kerri and Jamie. They have six grandchildren with two more on the way.

A "Dollar Drive" has been established. Friends, family and supporters are asking the public to donate funds in Marcia Brunner's name at any Washington Mutual Bank, account number 3150819438, or send checks to FBO Marcia Brunner, c/o Ed Medieros, Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103.

Future fundraisers include: a Greenwood Garage Sale on April 21 at the Phinney Neighborhood Center (accepting donations); American Dance Institute dance classes to raise funds, April 15, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and the Greenwood Academy providing hair cuts proceeds to Marcia, visit website below for date and other fundraisers.

Visit http://www.HopeForMarcia.com.