As many of you know, a few weeks ago, Aaron visited the emergency room with severe abdominal pain and there, doctors discovered a tumor that was nearly obstructing his ascending colon. He underwent urgent surgery to remove a portion of his colon and lymph nodes and was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. Although surgeons were able to remove most of the cancer during the procedure, it had already metastasized to his liver. The family is currently waiting to learn more about Aaron’s ongoing treatment plan once he consults with his oncologist this week.

At present, neither Aaron nor his wife, Angeline, are working or collecting income or assistance. Aaron is a self-employed optometrist growing his small business and worked additional per diem days to support the family. With Aaron at home recovering from surgery, he is unable to return to full-time work for the foreseeable future. Angeline, who had held a remote, flexible part-time position in dental billing for the last 3 years, learned just days before Aaron’s ER visit that she was losing her role due to a department restructure. The new full-time position she was offered within the clinic did not fit with her family’s urgent needs following Aaron’s sudden illness, forcing her to relinquish her employment. Angeline is now searching for a new part-time job that still allows her to care for the family, while Aaron does his best to manage the clinic remotely with the help of his staff.

This is a very trying time for the family, including Aaron and Angeline’s two young children, Lia and Ezra, as they are already at risk of losing their home. After the last year of challenges running a new business, navigating Ezra’s autism diagnosis, and now Aaron’s cancer diagnosis, they need their community to rally around them now more than ever. The path forward will be difficult emotionally and financially, and any amount you would consider donating will lighten their burden and will be greatly appreciated. Donations will go directly toward medical and living expenses due to loss of income.