<div>Meet Gage and Jennalea Baldwin and their babies, from Bakersville, NC.
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<div>Gage and Jennalea met in July 2015, married in July 2020, and built a life rooted in love, resilience, and family. They welcomed their beautiful babies, Joanna in June 2023, and John in July 2025. In his off time, Gage finds peace in hunting, fishing, and quiet moments with those he loves most.
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<div>Gage is a merchant mariner, transporting petroleum products across the country. His demanding schedule—30 days on, 30 days off—has always been a part of their rhythm. But now, <strong>everything has changed</strong>. Due to the nature of his work and the schedule they keep, he will not be able to return until his treatment is completed.
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<div>In August 2025, after months of escalating symptoms—starting with tooth pain and progressing to facial numbness and stabbing nerve pain—<strong>Gage was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). This rare and aggressive cancer</strong> affects the secretory glands. The tumor is located in his nasopharynx and hard palate but has invaded the nerves in his face and extended into his brain, causing bone erosion. Though the cancer hasn’t spread to distant organs, it’s classified as Stage 4 due to its perineural invasion.
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<div><strong>Surgery is not an option. </strong>Specialists at Duke have recommended proton radiation therapy to shrink the tumor and manage symptoms. This treatment will require travel to specialized centers—possibly in Atlanta or Boston—and extended time away from home, work, and the children he cherishes.
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<div><strong>What Is ACC?</strong>
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<div>Adenoid cystic carcinoma is an extremely rare cancer, <strong><em>diagnosed in only about 4 in every 1 million people each year.</em></strong> It typically originates in the head and neck and is known for:
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<li>Slow growth but aggressive behavior
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<li>Invasion of nerves and surrounding tissues
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<li>High recurrence rate, often with distant metastases to the lungs
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<li>Lifelong monitoring and treatment
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<div>You can learn more at the <a href="https://accrf.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation</strong></a>.
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<div><strong>How You Can Help</strong>
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<div>This GoFundMe will help cover:
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<li>Travel and lodging for treatment 
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<li>Medical expenses not covered by insurance
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<li>Lost income during extended leave
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<li>Childcare and family support during this difficult time
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<div><strong>Your support means everything to the Baldwin family. Every donation, share, and message of encouragement helps lighten the load and bring hope to a family facing the unimaginable.</strong>
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<div>Thank you for standing with Gage, Jennalea, and their children.
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<div><em>**Updates will be posted here so you can follow along with their journey.</em>
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Miriam Prescott

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Jeff Williams

Help Gage Fight Rare Stage 4 Cancer

Help Gage Fight Rare Stage 4 Cancer

Still $7,990 to go. Help us build momentum.