Family and friends we need your help. If you know Pete and me, you know that we are proud people who don’t ask for help easily. About a month ago, shortly after our wedding, Pete was diagnosed with cancer. What started as a small swollen lymph node that we were told not to worry about, quickly turned into our worst nightmare. There is no greater test of “in sickness and in health” than walking through cancer with the person you love.

Earlier this year we welcomed our son, Luke, and our life together is only just beginning. This diagnosis has been devastating for our family, but we are determined to give Pete the very best chance to beat this. For that reason, we sought treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering, where Pete will undergo major surgery on January 20 to remove as much of the cancer as possible. Once he regains his strength and recovers from surgery, he will begin additional treatment.

What was initially expected to be just a few weeks of treatment has now turned into months, during which Pete will be out of work. While we believed everything would be covered by insurance, we have since learned that because the surgery is being performed in New York, it is considered out of network, and the cost will be significant as insurance will only cover a small part.

Of course, there is no price we wouldn’t pay for Pete’s health and his future with our family. Still, the financial strain has become overwhelming. The cost of commuting back and forth to the city, along with parking tolls and bridges has been tremendous. Now a hotel stay, food and missed work so I can be near him for surgery, will add to the burden.

We’ve reached a point where we need to humbly ask our friends and family for help with medical bills and living expenses while Pete is unable to work. We know everyone is facing challenges of their own, and we are deeply grateful for any support—no matter how small. Every contribution truly helps.

I will continue to share updates here as Pete fights this battle. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, prayers, and support during this incredibly difficult time.