Justin's Testicular Cancer Fund

This is my oldest son, Justin, who just days before his 25th birthday, this past May, was given a diagnosis that just turned his life upside down. As a mom, has left me terrified and feeling completely helpless. What's started off as a tiny, but painful cyst back in January, is now Stage 3C testicular cancer.

Between January and April, his doctor told him it was nothing to be concerned about. But then suddenly in May, after sending him for yet another sonogram, Justin received what seemed to be a panicked phone call from this doctor...Cancer. He wanted him to come in immediately the following evening for surgery to remove his right testicle. As soon as he hung up, Justin called me confused and scared by this news. Nothing about this seemed right, much less real. I begged him to please seek a second opinion before he made the decision to go forward with this out-of-the-blue surgery.

The following week, we went to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. They were, and are, completely amazing there. They didn't waste any time getting him properly diagnosed and planned for his surgery and treatment following. We soon found out that this cyst that was "nothing to be concerned about", was not only cancer, but had spread from his testicle and tube to now include 15 masses on his lungs and is also starting to invade his lymph system.

Surgery to remove the testicle went as expected and is now at the beginning of 4 very long months of chemotherapy. This has just been a nightmare! It's so heartbreaking to see your once happy, very active and independent son suffering, just trying to survive the side effects of chemo. Fearful and helpless doesn't even begin to describe how this feels.

He's had to go on medical leave from work and is just struggling financially to keep up with basic needs. I myself have had health issues and had to go on medical leave from my job 2 years ago. As a single mom, I haven't had enough income to make ends meet taking care of my youngest son who still lives with me. So, I am desperately in need of a way to help Justin with all his sudden added expenses that he's now facing. From the small things such as being able to buy food and gas to the major expense of all the prescriptions and copays needed so home health care can come to him to provide IV medicine and hydration on these days he's been too sick to leave his room. And as always, the monthly bills that don't stop piling up when you can't work.

I'm hoping that you can find it in your heart to help Justin and help us care for and support him through this crisis. This is just so hard to deal with both physically and emotionally, the financial strain of fighting cancer is overwhelming. Anything that you can donate would be greatly appreciated!