Short Introduction:

Hi, my name is Sam Hecht, and I’m 22 years old. I’m facing the hardest chapter of my life. My mom is now in hospice after a long fight with lung and brain cancer, and my dad is preparing for a life-saving stem cell transplant to treat his own cancer. I’ve been doing everything I can to take care of them, but now I need help.

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Full Story:

This is a post I never imagined I’d have to write, especially at just 22 years old.

The last couple of years have been a nightmare for my family. For those who may not know the full story, here’s a glimpse into what our lives have looked like.

In January 2024, my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. Not long after, it spread to her brain. We fought so hard together through every appointment, every treatment, and every long night. For a short, beautiful time, she was cancer-free, and life finally felt full of hope again.

But in February 2025, everything changed when we found out the cancer had returned, this time in her brain and pancreas.

On top of all of this, my mom has lived with multiple sclerosis (MS) since she was my age. She has spent her entire adult life fighting one battle after another, yet she has always stayed strong, selfless, and full of love for everyone around her. She’s my best friend, my role model, and the strongest woman I know.

Around that same time, my dad, Scott Hecht, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. After surgery, we were told he was cancer-free, but more testing showed it had spread to his bones and blood. Jackie and I were heartbroken. How could both of our parents be fighting cancer at the same time?

My sister Jackie, who is 25 and has Asperger syndrome, and my half-brother Josh, who is 41, have also been struggling as we navigate all of this. My mom has always been their biggest support system and source of comfort. Watching her fade has been incredibly hard on them. I’ve been trying to be strong for everyone, but there are days it feels like I’m barely holding it together.

Recently, we’ve been holding onto a small glimmer of hope. My dad’s treatments have been working, and he’s just one week away from beginning a life-saving stem cell transplant that could finally wipe out the cancer in his body.

But watching my mom decline has been absolutely devastating. In the last couple of months I’ve seen her stop eating, lose her strength, pass out in my arms, and even stop breathing. Just last month, I found her on the floor barely responsive. I sat by her side, trying to keep her awake, watching the life slowly leave her eyes. Those moments will stay with me forever.

Life has felt impossible lately. Over the last two years, I’ve done everything I can to help my parents financially, paying their bills, covering their expenses, and doing whatever it takes to make sure they’re cared for. It’s been my pride and joy to help them, but now, I can’t do it alone anymore.

With my mom now in hospice, I’m trying to spend every moment I can by her side while also facing the reality of how we’ll pay for her funeral. On top of that, I’m preparing for my dad’s transplant and the cost of his stay in Rochester. The financial weight on top of all this heartbreak has been unbearable.

My family has never been the kind to ask for help. We’ve always been strong and independent. But right now, we’re lost, and we need help.

The funds raised will go toward:

• My mom’s funeral expenses (She does not have life insurance or any savings)

• My dad’s transplant recovery housing and care in Rochester

• Traveling costs and ongoing bills that I’ve been helping covering for my parents

If you’re able to donate, even just $5, it would mean the world to my family. Every single dollar helps lift a bit of this burden and allows us to focus on what truly matters: spending the time we have left together.

And if you’re unable to give, please consider sharing this. Your support, love, and prayers mean more than words can express.

Knowing that my mom will not be there to see me get married, see Jackie and Josh hit milestones in life, and so much more, breaks my heart.

So from the bottom of my heart, thank you for being here for my family through the hardest chapter of our lives. ❤️