It is with a heavy heart that we share the ongoing battle faced by our cousin Marcel, who is courageously fighting against a rare form of eye cancer. Since early 2019, Marcel has faced the dreaded "C word" repeatedly, enduring multiple cycles of treatment, remission, and recurrence. We are now facing a third round of treatment which will be ongoing for a further 6 months. In hope of saving the eye, his sight and hopefully avoid further surgeries. Unfortunately, the unique nature of his condition has left him without the financial support that more common cancers receive.

Marcel's current fight is not just physical or emotional but this rollercoaster has greatly impacted his mental health. The weight of the financial struggle has taken a toll on him and his family. Despite doing his best to work throughout treatment it was inevitably decided that continuing to work would be detrimental to his health, healing and recovery. Due to his illness and the demanding treatment regimen, Marcel faces the unfair burden of shouldering the financial costs alone. The rarity of his case denies him the governmental assistance that would be available for more common cancer types.

The ongoing chemotherapy, a vital component of Marcel's treatment coupled with loss of income and any potential additional expenses for pharmaceutical medications to manage symptoms and side effects, is placing an overwhelming strain on his family's finances.

In these challenging times, we humbly reach out to you, our community, for support. Marcel's situation is a stark reminder of the financial disparities faced by those with rare diseases. Your generosity can make a significant impact, helping to alleviate the financial burden on Marcel and his family during this critical time.

This is a heartfelt plea, and any contribution, no matter the amount, will be a lifeline for Marcel and his family. Let's unite in solidarity, ensuring that Marcel receives the support he deserves to face this battle without the added worry of financial hardship.

God bless you all, and thank you from the depths of our hearts.