UPDATE: MAY 2026... It's been over two years of Cancer. Your continued support has helped me get through some of the hardest and terrifying times of my life but this battle is far from over.  This past winter my cancer spread to my liver and spine, and I spent months in a painful sedation after radiation and other procedures. I lost over 20 pounds and so much strength that I couldn’t open a water bottle. I couldn't even cut an apple.   I’m now working to rebuild my body (again) while still in active treatment. I'm happy to share that I'm feeling better and hoping that my next round of scans and tests hold good news.  The treatments, insurance costs, and basic living expenses are still more than I can manage while still disabled.   Even with all your support, I’ve suffered so much loss throughout this journey. In ways I've never imagined. I'm still devastated about so many things but I'm finally ready to share that as of fall of 2025, I had to give up my Brooklyn home of 15 years. (I still can't say that part without crying).   Any support continues to go directly toward my medical care, insurance, and everyday essentials while I fight to recover.  But more than money I really now feel that's it's almost my responsibility to ask that you share my story.    It's a heavy and uncomfortable reality but it's one we can potential save others from.    I’m sharing the hard parts of this journey because cancer is more common than we talk about, and early detection and access to care saves lives. But this system is broken, lacks transparency and fails millions of American's everyday.    IF YOU CAN'T DONATE, PLEASE SHARE MT STORY. Sharing helps more than you know, and spreading awareness can genuinely save lives.      INSTA: christinajamialvarado   TIKTOK: cj.vs.cancer   FACEBOOK: Christina Jami Alvarado YOUTUBE: CJvsCANCER

JANUARY 2025...

This is the cost of my medical insurance for the year. This is cobra in order to keep my Aetna plan so I can stay with my current doctors and specialists. This isn’t co-pays or deductibles or out of network charges. This is just for the insurance.

A year ago, my life took an unimaginable turn when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. What began as a single, hopeful diagnosis quickly unraveled into something far more devastating. Weeks of endless tests revealed that the cancer had metastasized—not only to my lymph nodes, axillary cords, and colon but to several vertebrae in my spine as well. Just days before my 40th birthday, I was told the words that changed everything: stage 4 metastatic carcinoma, with a five-year life expectancy.

Treatment started immediately, thrusting my body into a whirlwind of changes. My fertility was halted, my health deteriorated, and the person I once was seemed to slip away. I was utterly shattered—lost in the chaos of a reality I never imagined for myself.

As if the diagnosis wasn’t enough, I also lost my six-figure job while recovering from surgery—a painful reminder of the fragility of being ill in America. In just a few months, I went from planning to buy my first home to moving back in with my parents, relying on $2,200 a month in Social Security disability to survive. That small amount barely covers my basic needs, let alone the mounting pile of medical bills. I went from thriving and full of plans to feeling completely untethered, battling both illness and despair.

Yet, amid this storm, there is hope. My endocrine therapy is working, keeping the cancer at bay for now—a blessing for which I am endlessly grateful. But the journey has left my body and spirit deeply scarred. Treatments, medications, and surgery have taken their toll, leaving me weak and grappling with countless side effects. Recently, my liver has begun to show signs of strain, adding yet another layer to an already overwhelming fight.

Still, I refuse to give up. Every day, I wake up determined to reclaim my life and make the most of the time I have. I’m starting to feel a small but growing strength within me—a hope that I can move forward. But I need help to rebuild the life that cancer has tried to take from me.

The funds raised here will go toward:

• Covering ongoing medical bills and treatments, including care for side effects.

• Supporting my journey toward greater independence as I adjust to my “new normal.”

• Helping me regain financial stability so I can rebuild and thrive, even while living with chronic illness.

This isn’t just about surviving—it’s about finding a way to truly live again. My dream is to regain my independence, rebuild my life, and create a future filled with meaning, healing, and joy.

Your support can make a real difference. Whether it’s through a donation or by sharing my story with others, you have the power to help me move forward. Every gesture—big or small—brings me closer to reclaiming my life and finding hope in this difficult journey. Thank you for taking the time to hear my story and for standing with me during this unimaginable time.