Hi, I’m Daniel, and I've been struggling with stage 4 colon cancer for the last 10 months. In May of 2023, at 19 years of age, I was stricken with an inexplicable and persistent abdominal pain. I was subsequently rushed to the ER, where I was initially diagnosed with merely having ulcerative colitis. In March of 2024, I was diagnosed with colon cancer, and as everything stands, my survival rate past the current year is just 8% if I am unable to undergo crucial, major surgery and the full extent of chemotherapy. My cancer progressed to stage 4 in September of 2024, and it has since metastasized and formed nodules in my lungs, as well as creating an inflamed growth of cancerous cells throughout my body (2-4 inches thick in some areas). The growth is spreading through my stomach with a high potential to reach my liver, if not addressed properly through surgery.

Metastatic colon cancer is treatable and in some cases even curable, but consistent and rigorous medication is needed in combination with surgery to fully combat it. By raising the necessary funds, I will be able to afford the proper treatment and medication, and my life expectancy and quality of health will increase greatly.

Before being stricken by this illness with no forewarning, I was pursuing a life and career in music, art, and design. I was preparing to relocate to a new and safer area, and integrate myself into a community of beloved and like-minded friends. I was going to leave behind an abusive and dangerous home environment, and fully dedicate myself to fulfilling my passions and paving the life I wanted. However, this illness has completely consumed and derailed my life over the last 3 years, leaving these aspirations and any thought of a ‘normal life’ behind as what feels like a distant and unachievable memory.

Cancer is a very isolating thing by nature. On top of already living in a remote location, I have no family by blood to rely on, and this disease has caused many rifts in my relationships with others due to the weight and severity of my situation. My condition has left me totally physically unfit to work, with no support system, financially or otherwise. I've spent the beginning years of my adult life going through this grueling, terrifying process entirely by myself, and it has reached such a low and unmanageable point that I am now coming out with this publicly, and asking for your help.

I have been undergoing a very aggressive treatment of chemotherapy by pill at home since January of this year, with about 12 cycles currently planned. Each cycle is set to last around a month each, and costs about $6,500 for each. In addition to chemotherapy I am on 3 other supporting medications to help prevent intense nausea, reduce hypersensitivity and further nerve damage that are all side effects of chemotherapy. These various treatments and medications are extremely expensive to upkeep, and have severely weakened my body and immune system, to the point of developing a case of tuberculosis earlier this year.

The nodules in my lungs can only be removed through major surgery in combination with chemotherapy, but I have not been able to undergo this very crucial operation, nor receive proper treatment for tuberculosis because of my severe lack of finances. Additionally, my chemotherapy and necessary appointments have been postponed and cancelled due to my inability to upkeep with the costs of medications and piling medical bills. I am not on, nor can I qualify for, any type of assistance or insurance, meaning all of this must be covered directly from my pocket somehow.

This situation has been difficult for me both inside and outside of the hospital. I’ve already sold off all of my material possessions in an attempt to survive financially, but that’s no longer feasible and I'm not even staying afloat anymore. For the last 8 months I’ve been unable to even afford the basic necessities in my life, such as hygiene products or enough food for consistent meals, to the point I can’t even support my own body anymore, let alone proceed with medication and planned operations, with my weight falling to ~110 lbs at a height of 6’4 (I know, I should be on the court). My living situation is also unstable and I cannot afford to keep the temperature consistent enough to protect my medications, which are at risk of being damaged and rendered ineffective due to the intense heat in Texas where I reside.

Your support will help me with the following costs of:

… as well as help provide flexibility and security during this turbulent time.

My initial goal is around $20,000 to help meet these needs, but truly, any support regardless of amount, means the most to me and does make a difference.

(My C*shapp & V*nmo both are @western6k, if you would prefer that method of donation. Donors giving $40 or more will receive a handwritten letter of gratitude, as well as paintings and drawings from Maria/@mashagaze. Send donation receipt and information to them on Instagram for further details)

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Whether you shared or donated, your help means more than I can express and goes a long way. As terrifying as it is to come out publicly with this, just know your support means everything to me, and I couldn’t have even made it this far without the help I've already received. I hope that through the process of this fundraiser, I will be able to fully prostrate myself to overcoming this disease, and finally undergo the needed medical procedures I have been unable to complete for so long. And that I can to return to a normal, healthy, and stable life one day down the line.

— Daniel