Hi, my name is Janek Bracken, and I'm reaching out to you with an urgent plea for help.

I’m a 33-year-old self-employed entrepreneur who loves running, hiking, teaching, and spending time with my family and friends. My life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with stage 3B malignant melanoma. I have been volunteering for the last 14 years as an EMT /Firefighter/ Rescue Specialist (ATR) throughout Baltimore County and Carrol County, MD. Unfortunately I have to suspend my volunteer service until I can overcome the cancer progression.

Over the past few months, I’ve undergone two major surgeries at GBMC to remove the melanoma from my left arm and from my lymph nodes (sentinel node). Despite these efforts and ongoing immunotherapy (Vervoy/ Opdivo), the cancer continues to aggressively grow. In addition to the standard of care, my doctors at GBMC and in partnership with Johns Hopkins have recommended BRAF and MEK inhibitor treatments—advanced therapies that have shown great promise in halting melanoma progression.

The cost of the medications alone is staggering, and with the added expenses of ongoing medical care, travel, and daily living costs, the financial burden is overwhelming.

This is where I need your help.

I am launching this GoFundMe campaign to raise $50,000 to cover the costs associated with receiving these life-saving treatments and to give me a fighting chance against this aggressive cancer. Your donation, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in my battle for survival.

How Your Donation Will Help:

BRAF and MEK Inhibitors: These targeted therapies are crucial for stopping the cancer from spreading. This treatment is paving the way for Johns Hopkins doctors to approve these advanced treatments to other patients in the future, and hopefully get a wider range of FDA approval to save more lives.

I am the first patient ever at GBMC to be dispensed these advanced treatments!

Medical Expenses: Covering the costs of doctor visits, tests, various supplemental medications and ongoing treatments.

I am determined to fight this disease with everything I have, and I am committed to sharing my journey with you. I will provide regular updates on my progress, the impact of your donations, and the milestones we achieve together. Your support means the world to me, and I want to keep you informed every step of the way.

Cancer is not just a physical battle; it’s an emotional and financial one too. By donating to my campaign, you are not only helping me access the treatments I desperately need, but you are also giving me hope and strength to keep fighting. Your generosity will enable me to continue working, pursuing my passions in the volunteer service, and spending precious time with my loved ones.

How You Can Help:

Donate: Any amount you can give will bring me one step closer to the treatments I need.

Any additional funds raised above and beyond my treatment cost will be donated to other Firefighters/ First Responders who also are battling cancer.

Share: Please share my story with your network. The more people who hear about my campaign, the greater our chances of reaching our goal.

Send Positive Vibes: Your words of encouragement and support are incredibly powerful and mean the world to me.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read my story and for your kindness and generosity. Together, we can overcome this challenge and give me a fighting chance to live a full and healthy life.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Janek Bracken