AO MEDICAL GOFUNDME

Asking for help can be a difficult thing, but blessing others can be a blessing to yourself. That philosophy is one held by Abraham Oyelowo. “A.O.,” as he is known to his friends, is a 35-year-old father of two. He is an army veteran. He is a musician. And he is battling Stage 2 Gastric Cancer.

 

The Natchitoches, Louisiana native, who has called Lafayette home for the past 6 years, says he’s suffered from stomach cramps for as long as he can remember. For that reason, A.O. went a long time not taking the pain he was feeling seriously. He even skipped appointments that his mom, a retired nurse, made for him. But when the cramps got worse and became more frequent, he finally decided to seek medical attention. After one doctor’s visit, he was told he needed to be seen again. And again. A biopsy was performed and in November of 2021, A.O. was diagnosed with gastric cancer.

 

Though he has medical insurance, the pandemic and other factors have led to financial strains on the musician. As a keyboardist for Zydeco artist Chris Ardoin, COVID negatively impacted A.O.’s income. Additionally, he spent four years traveling to Lake Charles four times a week where he was part of the music ministry at United Christian Fellowship Church. The travel between Lafayette and Lake Charles and Lafayette and New Orleans, where he was getting treatment, has taken its toll.

 

A.O. has had to suspend treatment for the cancer, which continues to grow. Doctors recommend chemotherapy, but with current financial and transportation limitations, he needs assistance to resume this potentially lifesaving treatment. “We’re all battling something,” he says, but he’s offering thanks to anyone who would join fundraising efforts to help him during this challenging period. “I hope by blessing me, it blesses them,” A.O. said optimistically. We would be extremely grateful if you joined us in helping this young brother.