Main fundraiser photo

Colorectal Cancer and Perlmutter Cancer Center

Donation protected
Hi,

My name is Sharon Waters-Gonzalez and before I share my story with you, I wanted to give a quick summary of why I am here. I am a cancer survivor and I’m using this GoFundMe page to help raise awareness and research funds for the Perlmutter Cancer Center, specifically their colorectal cancer center. This is the cancer I had, and to some degree still have, but I am still here only by the grace of God and the relentless efforts of the doctors, nurses, and aides at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Center.

My goal is twofold: To create awareness about the potential symptoms of colorectal cancer and how you can monitor these symptoms, and to raise money for colorectal cancer research. Every penny raised will be donated to the Perlmutter Cancer Center for colorectal cancer and research.

With the encouragement of one of my infusion nurses, Ricardo, and the added encouragement of my friends and workout buddies, I will be running (and walking) in this year’s Cow Harbor 10K run and I am looking to build a team of runners who can join me and secure sponsors to raise money for cancer research. And for those who prefer the spectator side of things, you are welcome to donate any amount to this GoFundMe page. I promise to waive along the race route.

Thank you so very much,
Team Sharon

My Story
On September 29th, after deciding that two solid days of headaches, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, and dehydration might be something more than a virus, I went to the emergency room for some tests. After some initial testing, they took me for a CT scan. What happened next was incomprehensible. I was told I had a large mass on my colon and that it was cancer. The next few minutes seemed like a lifetime and so surreal. It was like, “I know you aren’t talking about me. You can’t be talking about me.” But they were talking to me and before I knew what was happening, I was signing a waiver and being whisked off to surgery.

I won’t bore you with the details and quite frankly I’m not sure I could properly describe the experience without stringing several expletives into a nonsensical rant. My life was torn apart in a matter of minutes with those dreaded words that no one ever wants to hear. Following surgery you’re left with the general recovery, more disbelief of what you’ve just been told, and the initial process of trying to find an oncologist. And then there are the thousands of scenarios in your head about how you are going to tell friends and family. Unfortunately, there are far too many of us who know that feeling.

No one can tell you the proper way to move forward. Everyone’s journey is different. To say I am truly blessed is an understatement. My family, my friends, the kindness of strangers, I can’t even begin to express my gratitude to them. And you will need every one of them as you go through chemotherapy. Chemo will save your life. But the side effects will destroy you in ways you could never imagine. It strips away everything, to the point where you don’t even know who you are anymore.

I’m participating in this year’s Cow Harbor 10K for three primary reasons.
1) To thank my doctor, Dr. Paul Oberstein at NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center in New York City; his staff including Shantal & Zeffie, and his assistant Monique. From the very first phone call to schedule a consultation, to my latest treatment last month, they left no stone unturned to make sure I was receiving the best treatment…for me. And to the infusion nurses, the backbone behind all the treatments, who never receive the credit they deserve…THANK YOU!

2) To raise awareness about colorectal cancer and share some of the ways you might be able to detect something early. What was once a predominantly older person’s disease, colorectal cancer is now affecting both men and women at a much earlier age, and not just in the U.S., but worldwide. Screening needs to start earlier and not all of the generic symptoms are the same for everyone. I had NO symptoms. More education and funding are needed to fight this disease.

3) To raise funds for colorectal cancer research at Perlmutter Cancer Center. To help me raise money for cancer research, please join my team and run with me on Saturday, September 23rd or make a donation on this page.

To learn more about colorectal cancer, please visit NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center at https://nyulangone.org/conditions/colorectal-cancer.

Thank you!
Sharon Waters-Gonzalez
Donate

Donations 

  • Laurie Rosenthal
    • $10
    • 1 yr
  • Dee Ryan
    • $20
    • 1 yr
  • Joanne Adam
    • $50
    • 1 yr
  • Martin Waters
    • $50
    • 1 yr
  • Ann Guarascio
    • $30
    • 1 yr
Donate

Organizer

Sharon Waters-Gonzalez
Organizer
East Northport, NY

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee