I want to introduce you to an extraordinary young man named Gabriel Novak. Gabe is just 19 years old and fighting T-cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia. I first met Gabe about a year ago when he began dating our close family friend Autumn. It was clear right away that he was a kind and likable young man, and we were happy to see that Autumn had found someone who treated her so well. Sadly, Autumn herself was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer this past September. Gabe, who has been attending Wayne State University studying to become a nurse, has been absolutely incredible, providing love and support to Autumn with a dedication and maturity way beyond his years.

Their story took a shocking turn on Friday, April 1, when Gabriel received his own cancer diagnosis. Gabe had been feeling ill for a number of weeks, with fevers and enlarged lymph nodes in his neck. Autumn was worried and voiced her concern that he could have cancer. Nearly everyone reassured her that this was very unlikely and thought she was just understandably fearful because of her own diagnosis. Gabe felt like "deep down I knew something wasn't right," but a trip to Urgent Care hadn't given any answers. He was reluctant to go to an emergency room because of the cost, given that he does not have medical insurance. Gabe describes how on that Friday a few weeks ago, "Autumn dragged me to Mott," the children's unit at U of M where she receives her own cancer treatment... "I'm so happy she did!" This trip to the ER revealed that Gabe's fight with cancer was no longer going to be reserved to the role of giving help and support that he had been filling so admirably. From this point on, he would be fighting his own battle with cancer. His first thought upon being diagnosed? "I was just worried about how the news would affect Autumn!"

Gabe grew up in Fenton, Michigan and graduated from Hartland High School in 2020. He and Autumn met while working at the local Dairy Queen. He was just in the final stretch of his second year at Wayne State when he received his diagnosis. Now, despite near daily steroid and weekly chemo treatments, some of which need to be given directly into his spinal cord, he has not given up any of his plans and still has the same upbeat nature that he has always had. "I'm not letting my diagnosis affect me...I'm still playing with my three dogs (Liberty, Lola, and Thor)." He and Autumn continue to navigate their unusual love story, having been through more in a year than many couples face in a lifetime.

Gabe still intends on finishing his degree in biology and pursuing nursing or something similar in the medical field. He describes being inspired by interactions with Amy, one of the oncology nurses that has cared for him and Autumn at U of M, saying "it's a fragile thing for people with cancer...not just physically but mentally. It's very rewarding to help someone and make someone else comfortable." This is what he has already been doing in his young life and what he wants to continue to do, both personally and, one day, professionally. But first, he is facing most likely three years of intensive chemo that makes up the usual battle plan to fight this kind of cancer. He is hoping to get a special health insurance for children/young adults with cancer in place but does not yet have medical insurance to help with any of the costs. The drive to the University of Michigan for chemotherapy and appointments is 45 minutes each way with gas prices adding up quick. Working at Dairy Queen is currently on hold. Please consider giving to help support Gabriel on this journey. Know that you will be helping someone who has a generous soul and so much potential! This is a young man who has already touched lives and deserves to continue to do so for many years to come...