My name is Stacy, and I never imagined I would be writing something like this.
For years, I’ve worked as a massage therapist through my small business, Santa Rosa Medical Massage, helping people manage pain, recover from injuries, and feel better in their bodies. Supporting others’ healing has been my life’s work. Now I find myself facing my own unexpected health battle.
I was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. After meeting with my surgical team, I learned I will need major surgery on March 31 to remove part of my colon and the surrounding lymph nodes. My surgeon has also recommended a hysterectomy at the same time to prevent future risk. While my doctors are hopeful about the surgery, it will require a recovery period where I will not be able to work.
Because I am self-employed, when I cannot work, my income stops completely, but my expenses do not. Like many small business owners, I still have the responsibility of keeping my business and health insurance in place while I recover.
Some of the immediate monthly expenses include:
• Health insurance: $1,315
• Business rent
• Car payment
These costs alone make it difficult to step away from work, even though surgery and recovery are essential right now.
Friends encouraged me to create this fundraiser so I can focus on healing without losing the business I’ve built or the insurance I need during treatment. The goal is to raise $7,500 to help cover these critical expenses while I recover from surgery and wait for final pathology results that will determine whether additional treatment like chemotherapy is needed.
If you know me, you know it is not easy for me to ask for help. My instinct is always to be the one helping others. But right now, I’m learning to accept support so I can get through this chapter and return to doing the work I love.
Any donation, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference. If donating isn’t possible, sharing this fundraiser would also help tremendously.
Thank you for reading, for your kindness, and for being part of my support system while I focus on healing and getting back to helping others.