Justin's Cancer Support Fund

Hello Friends and Family,

The Cooper family, Justin, Amy and 10-year-old Nora, received life-altering, world-shattering news on April 15, 2022. Justin, a healthy 46-year-old runner, hard-working electrician, and loving father and husband, was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer.

In January 2022, Justin started noticing that he was not feeling 100% well. He made an appointment and discussed his concerns with his primary care provider, who then referred him for a colonoscopy. On April 15, 2022, Justin underwent his colonoscopy. Immediately after the procedure, his medical providers brought Amy into Justin’s recovery room to relay the news that shook them to the core: Justin had a tumor in his intestine, and they would need to meet with an oncologist. Later that week, they discovered this tumor was malignant and the cancer had spread to his liver.

A few weeks later, Justin underwent surgery to remove the intestinal tumor. His prognosis was hopeful given he was so young and healthy! Shortly after, Justin underwent a microwave ablation procedure to remove the two lesions on his liver.

To ensure no further spread, Justin began a six-month chemo course in August. Unfortunately, during his baseline chemo scan, the Coopers received more heartbreaking news: in the two months since his liver ablation procedure, three new liver lesions had formed and his providers are now treating his cancer as palliative vs. curative. While his family is trying to remain as hopeful as possible, they are also painfully aware of what reality will eventually look like.

Throughout this entire journey, Justin has continued to work when possible but that is becoming less and less frequent. Every three weeks, he goes in for a 4-hour chemo infusion while also taking daily oral chemo at home. The infusions have by far been the hardest. It leaves him drained, nauseous, and unable to sleep. On top of that, it's a challenge for his body to even allow him to swallow his chemo pills.

As you can imagine, medical and normal living expenses are starting to add up. Additionally, at his last appointment, Justin’s provider said, “Now is the time to start writing out future birthday, graduation, and wedding cards. Start making more family videos. Do these things while he is still feeling well enough.” This was a sobering reality for the family.

The Coopers have always valued experiences over things. They have worked hard to provide Nora with as many opportunities as possible to have family adventures. This is why I'm hoping you will consider pitching in, to not only help ease their medical and living financial burden, but to also help establish a future “Bucket List” fund for their family. NOW is the time for Justin and Amy to make lifelong memories with Nora. They want her to have amazing memories to hold onto to ease her pain when she no longer has her dad to hold onto. When Justin first learned about his cancer, the first thing he said was, "I need to take Nora to Disneyland." He didn't even think about himself. As always, his first concern was of his daughter and what this ultimately means for Nora and Amy. Another trip, the BIG one, is New Zealand and Australia. Justin and Amy have always talked about taking Nora there as a high school graduation present. With Nora only being 10 years old, the reality of Justin being able to attend her graduation trip is unlikely.

You’ll never meet a kinder, more down-to-earth person than Justin Cooper. He and Nora are two peas in a pod. They have such a unique, caring, and unbreakable bond, which makes this news such a crushing and devastating blow to those who know and love this family. Let’s rally to give Justin, Amy, and Nora the chance to build the best book of lifelong memories together.