People rally around Edges after Doug is diagnosed with leukemia

Family, friends, music — and tons of support — what more could a young man ask for?

Austin Edge, 20, of Kenmore appeared to have the strength of many men as he greeted attendees with smiles, hugs and handshakes while helping run the show last Sunday night at a benefit concert for his dad, Doug, at the Seattle Drum School in North Seattle.

Doug, 52, was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia in October and underwent a bone-marrow transplant May 19 at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA). He became sick recently with bacteria in his blood, was given antibiotics and anti-nausea medication and returned home to Kenmore in good spirits the day of the concert.

“It’s been a very lengthy process: physically taxing, emotionally taxing, financially taxing,” said Austin while taking a break outside of the Seattle Drum School prior to the concert. “For the most part, (my dad has) always kept a really positive outlook. There are definitely times when it’s a little more difficult. The difference between him in the hospital and him being home is such a big difference for his emotions.

“I think being at home allows him to envision his future at home, as opposed to being confined in a hospital. He doesn’t like feeling like a patient, so whenever we can minimize that feeling, we try to do that,” added Austin, who lives with his dad (his sister, Alison, resides in Washington, D.C., and his mom, Nancy, and her husband live on Whidbey Island).

Among the people giving Austin a hand on Sunday were hairstylists Tara Yaranon and Daniella Hinshaw, who signed up folks for Cuts for a Cause; Ashley Magdall, who sold her photos; and musicians Savannah and Elise, Robbie Christmas, The Requisite and Keely Hanson. Steve Smith donated the use of the drum-school L.A.B. room for the concert, and about 30-40 people attended the event and donated $644.75 to aid with Doug’s medical and living expenses.

As fellow Inglemoor High graduate Magdall sat by her table of colorful outdoors photos, she noted: “It’s really important to me because Austin’s been a great friend for so long. When I found out that his dad had leukemia, I wanted to help out every way I could.”

Yaranon first befriended Austin in junior high, had been out of touch with him for a while, but the pair recently rekindled their friendship.

“It’s very emotional, Austin’s got a really good attitude and is definitely thinking about the more positive things in the whole situation,” she said. “It’s nice that everyone’s getting together and helping him out and his family. It’s cool to reconnect with people we haven’t seen in a long time, too … it’s a nice little family get-together.”

Added Hinshaw: “We both have been doing hair for while, so why not use your skill to benefit others?”

Austin said that Doug had multiple rounds of chemotherapy and was in remission when he went in for the transplant. For the transplant, the hospital located a perfect match for Doug, a 19-year-old European man; hematopoietic stem cells were extracted from the donor and the bags of fluid were flown to the United States for the procedure.

Next up for Doug will be regular checkups at the SCCA — and a lot of hope that things will go well. (Doug was engrafted with a new immune system and they will wait and see if his body accepts it.)

“We have a lot of reasons to be hopeful: (being in remission) was a very positive thing. That mixed with a positive attitude and proper treatment, I think it’s looking really good,” Austin said.

“I try to keep perspective, I try to keep grateful for the time I’ve had with my dad. We’re very fortunate to have the resources we have to even deal with this disease.”

Austin recently graduated from Cascadia Community College and will next attend the University of Washington, Bothell, to study community psychology. He’d like to be involved in helping communities grow, and his family, friends and the inspiring music of Sufjan Stevens and Half-Handed Cloud are taking him along a positive life path.

“I try not to take things for granted. It’s hard in our society, there’s so much luxury, I think,” said Austin, who’s also a musician. “It’s really changed my perspective on things. There are things I used to focus on, and now I realize they’re not as important. I’ve really gained a new appreciation for family, for friends and community support.”

To donate to the Edges, visit Genius Bees and click the “Donate” button.