Help Kayla Kick Rectal Cancer

For those of you who know me (and maybe those that don’t), it’s Kayla here. I’m a typically very active 31 year old that tutors writing at colleges, teaches rowing fitness classes, and hosts trivia in Boston. Well, until recently.

I was diagnosed with stage 3c rectal cancer on November 9, 2024, and my treatment began on November 27. I’m currently taking a combination of immunotherapy drugs with 2 weeks between each infusion for one and 6 weeks between each for the second drug. I also have other medical appointments related to surgery for the infection that sent me to the hospital to begin with, as well as other checkins and scans. I’m currently on several meds to help me with my ongoing pain, nausea, bathroom issues, and insomnia. In short, a lot is happening, but I’m in treatment — and more importantly, the prognosis is excellent with this drug combo. I’m receiving excellent care at MGH and very happy to have this opportunity for a less invasive treatment compared to traditional radiation/chemo/surgery.

While I do have insurance, there’s still a lot of out of pocket costs, including hitting my OOP maximum both this year and next from copays, procedures, prescriptions, treatments, etc. I also have several over the counter medications and additional needs right now (laxatives, Tylenol, so many wipes, nutrition drinks, pads, etc.) There’s also the transportation and parking costs for going to appointments at MGH and elsewhere. Attending appointments is simultaneously causing some lost wages, as I work multiple part-time jobs and have limited sick time available. I’m still working remotely part-time as best I can, but there’s not really enough coming in to cover more than my normal living expenses.

That’s why I’ve started this GoFundMe — to hopefully cover some of the additional medical expenses during this time. I greatly appreciate anything you can give to help lessen the burden. If you know me, you know how proud I am and how much I hate asking. But things are tough and tight. Sincerely, anything you can give means the world to me.

I’ll give updates with infusions and scans, as they occur, and maybe just general updates on how my days are going. Admittedly, they’ve been rough so far (writing this 11/30).

P.S. Some may know me as a rowing instructor, and this has been put on pause for the time being. I’m in no shape to row or yell at other people rowing, but I hope to get back to my rowers as soon as I can. That doesn’t mean you should let up though!