Hello, my name is Cameron Wertz. In June, I proudly graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship. Graduation should have been the start of a new chapter filled with excitement and momentum. Instead, the past few months have tested me in ways I never could have imagined.

In February of this year, I broke my arm. That one accident threw my life off balance — I lost my ability to work, and aside from a short internship, I had almost no income. I survived on what little savings I had, along with student loans and credit cards. Just as I was finally catching my breath, another setback came: this summer, I broke my left hand pinky that splinted down the side of my hand. This led me to receive emergency surgery. That injury has kept me sidelined from the steady work I desperately needed to cover my bills.

These back-to-back injuries left me with medical costs, mounting debt, and student loans that I’ve had to juggle without a stable income. I’ve sold nearly everything I own, picked up gig jobs like DoorDash and Instacart when my health allowed, and chipped away at my credit card balances. But the truth is, the weight of these financial burdens has been overwhelming.

And yet — there’s hope. I’ve been offered my dream job in Guam, working in the Sports and Recreation. This is exactly the kind of opportunity I’ve been chasing: a chance to live abroad, grow in my career, and bring joy to others through recreation and community. The best part is that the company provides housing, meals, and basic living expenses. My future there is covered — but my past still lingers.

What stands in my way now are the debts and bills that followed me here: medical costs, student loans, and credit card payments from the months when I couldn’t work. These are the things that will make it nearly impossible to fully focus on this opportunity and give it my all. Without help, I’ll be starting this dream job under a cloud of stress and financial strain that could hold me back from truly moving forward.

Because of the Department of Education’s freeze, I haven’t been able to consolidate my student loans. This leaves me with a payment that’s far higher than I can realistically manage, especially while starting over in Guam.

That’s why I’m reaching out. Your support would give me the breathing room I need to finally let go of the hardships of this year and step into this new chapter with stability. Every contribution would go directly toward covering my student loan payments, paying down debt from my injuries, and ensuring that I can give my best in Guam without worrying about survival.

I’m not someone who takes asking for help lightly. But I’ve come to realize that sometimes, the strongest thing you can do is admit when you can’t do it alone. If you’re able to donate — no matter the amount — it would mean more than I can express. And if donating isn’t possible, simply sharing this page would help me more than you know.

Thank you for reading my story, for standing with me through this difficult season, and for helping me turn the page toward a future I’ve been working so hard to reach.