GIVE PETERSON A CHANCE TO FIGHT

Give Peterson THE chance. The chance of his lifetime, to fight for his future.

Peterson was a 35-year-old, healthy, happy, hardworking, and devoted family man. He lives with his wife Angelaine in San Felipe, Chile, where they migrated. Peterson found a job as a general labourer within a factory producing exports. Then, on June 16, 2022, his entire life would change in ways he and his family could never imagine. Peterson started developing a large mass on his throat that began protruding out of the left side of his neck. He felt the whole world's weight suffocating him with the crushing diagnosis of one word, "carcinoma."

Shortly after receiving this overwhelming news, he took another devasting blow when he was released from his job. Also, his wife, Angelaine, was forced to leave her job to help support Peterson through the new challenges of daily living. Unfortunately, this would also mean he would lose access to any healthcare coverage through his work. The loss of income and insurance significantly restricts his options for cancer treatment. On top of that, it exasperates the financial burden of dealing with his life-threatening illness. All this leaves Peterson stuck between circumstances out of his control. Within weeks, he's become seriously ill, unemployed, and desperate for a miracle. All while cancer in his neck continues to grow at an exponential rate.

Imagine being in this position, where, you wake up and look in the mirror. You're faced with a life-threatening disease eating away at you physically and mentally every waking moment and sleepless night. All you have left is time, which is constantly cut shorter as this disease overtakes more of your body. Doctors and treatments are available to support the highest survival rates in history. However, the treatment you need is so close yet out of your reach. All because you lack the financial resources to attain the treatment you need to save your life. This is just a glimpse into how Peterson is constantly feeling right now.

All he needs is a chance. A chance to get help and get better. He currently has odds in his favour but requires immediate medical attention to get ahead of this cancer before it's too late. Time is precious. All he needs is the opportunity to access the readily available treatment in his country. Chile is a leader in healthcare standards within Latin America, especially in the capital city of Santiago, about 90km south of where Peterson lives in San Felipe.

No one should be in this position. But, unfortunately, it happens to too many people. Peterson is not just another number; he should not be written off. This young couple has so much more of life to experience together. All they have left is hope. Hope that someone will see more than words in this post and understand the severity of their situation. If given the opportunity to access treatment, Peterson and his family will overcome this incredibly difficult time. Help him win his fight against cancer, rise above and come out victorious.

Cancer affects everyone.

My name is Nuzhan, and I am writing this on behalf of Sablonde, Peterson's older sister. Through these unfortunate circumstances, we were introduced by my mother Zhaleh, a friend and coworker. It has been an extremely stressful time for Sablonde, as well. Being away from her younger brother, continents apart. She is a vibrant and kind-hearted woman working in long-term care in Scarborough, Ontario. She would give the world to heal her brother. All funds will go directly to Peterson to begin treatment ASAP. We will continue posting updates on his condition and treatment process. When I heard Peterson's story, I knew the power of the internet could help. This gofundme is their only hope. We all want Peterson to be hopeful and determined to persevere. He feels like he has all the cards stacked against him right now. Please help show him he is not alone. I am a 2x childhood cancer survivor and wouldn't be here if it weren't for luck. I was lucky to be in a country with universal healthcare and to have the best nurse as my mother. Anything is possible. Please give Peterson the chance to survive.