I’m writing this on behalf of my dear friend, Aaron and his sweet 4 year old son. Aaron is someone who has spent his entire life working hard and taking care of his family—and who would never ask for help unless he truly had no other choice.

From a young age, he worked nonstop, eventually running his own construction business by his early 20s and supporting a family of five. At the time, he didn’t know he was living with a large spinal tumor causing constant pain. In 2006, doctors discovered the tumor crushing nerves in his spine. Multiple surgeries, radiation, permanent nerve damage, and later thyroid cancer followed.

Despite this, he fought his way off disability and returned to full-time work in 2015.

He was eventually diagnosed with Schwannomatosis, a rare condition that causes multiple nerve tumors. He currently has eleven tumors, several of which continue to cause pain and mobility issues. As physical labor became harder, he adapted again—enrolling full-time in a Construction Management program in 2023 to build a sustainable future for his family.

Then, in 2024 and 2025, everything converged at once.

A building fire displaced him. New spinal tumors were discovered. A high-risk surgery and radiation followed. His grandmother—his closest support—passed away. Shortly after, a family crisis forced him to become a full-time single parent overnight, leaving with almost none of his belongings to keep his child safe.

Since then, ongoing housing issues, serious health complications (including infection, anemia, heart and circulation problems, and worsening nerve damage), and constant medical appointments have made it nearly impossible to work. Recently, his car broke down and he lost his only source of income.

This fundraiser is to help cover basic necessities only—rent, utilities, transportation, food, and essentials—while he stabilizes. His disability application is in progress, and he is actively seeking work he can physically manage. This is not a permanent situation, but a critical moment where temporary help can make all the difference.

He has always been the one helping others. Right now, he needs help himself.