Donate To Help Jacin's Cancer Journey

My name is Annie, and I am starting this GoFundMe to support my 29 year old boyfriend, best friend, and life partner, Jacin Banks, in his battle with testicular cancer.

On October 5th 2022, Jacin visited his general practitioner to get a lump he discovered on his left testicle checked. An ultrasound was ordered immediately, leading to an MRI, confirming a malignant tumor encompassing the entire testicle. Jacin was then referred to a urologist, who established an orchiectomy was necessary, and all cancer and tumor markers be done immediately.

Jacin had just moved to Houston in June to start his life with me and only recently started his new job, which included a waiting period for medical benefits, so his orchiectomy had to be postponed until November 7th. The month between his diagnosis and procedure was a gruesome one. Due to the size of the mass, Jacin was in constant pain through his legs, back, and abdomen every day. He could not sit comfortably at work and was up most nights with terrible night sweats and aches. The surgery successfully removed the tumor and testicle; however, the pathology from the orchiectomy was very disappointing. The pathology determined Jacin's tumor to be a mixed germ cell tumor, 60% seminoma 40% embryonal carcinoma. The embryonal carcinoma is a rapidly spreading, more aggressive cancer, meaning chemotherapy would be the next step in his treatment. Jacin has many tests, scans, and oncology appointments ahead, causing him to take many unpaid days off of work and have lots of financial hardship.

Jacin and I have big dreams to start a family one day, but due to the high probability of infertility from the treatment, we are seeing a fertility specialist who has determined the course of action is to bank as much sperm as possible as soon as possible. Cryopreservation at this capacity is very costly as insurance does not cover this type of treatment.

If you have the privilege of knowing Jacin, you know he is the kindest, most gentle spirit with a smile that lights up every room he enters. Even the minute he woke up from surgery, he had the warmest smile on his face and wouldn't stop thanking the nurses for all they did for him. He is full of optimism and has a way of making every person he comes into contact with feel seen and important in their interaction. Jacin has so much enthusiasm for life and a hunger for knowledge, and I know he is destined for so much greatness. He had just applied for air traffic control school in June and started a new job in a new city so we could begin our life together, only to be hit with the devastating diagnosis of testicular cancer. We are determined to do everything in our power to make his dreams a reality so he can live the fulfilling life he deserves.

Jacin has a very long journey ahead to fight this, and we are asking for your help in any capacity to get him the treatment he needs and help us achieve our dreams of having a family of our own one day. We are so grateful for the village that surrounds us and showers us with so much love and support every step of the way.