Hey all, my name is Jay. I started this fundraiser originally to raise money for my needs. They were simple but necessary; help with my education and help move. I was going through a hard time financially, and swimming in debt. A lot of people came together and supported my journey. Things didn't pan out quite like I expected, given that my laptop broke beyond repair, my camera got stolen and other needs got in the way of moving. However, I can say that the donations truly helped me get through difficult situations and I now have a reasonable amount of debt.

For those readers just joining us, I have a friend named Rose (name changed for privacy). She is 29 years old and has been my friend for a year and a half now. She is fiery, strong and has such a kind heart. I have a hard time cooking due to my disability so with her I was eating healthy, varied meals instead of boiled pasta, over-boiled eggplant and egg. Through her, I became far more mature and learned to love myself. She has been my best friend here; we spend hours together. Rose grew up in poverty and managed to learn law, basic medicine and culinary arts, which is amazing to me. We make important decisions together and plan on sticking together for a long time.

Rose is going through a tough time. Around December, she started experiencing worrying symptoms, just like she had six years ago. She went to one specialist and everything was fine. The next doctor diagnosed her with Stage 4 leukemia. In January, she fought pneumonia through in-home hospitalization and found out that no health insurance will take her because she already has cancer. She’s a “risk”. Public health insurance is painfully slow. The oncologist told us that she could die back in January given her anemia, but it’s now May and she’s still here. She is one of the most resilient people I know, even if this process is scaring her. At this point, her medical needs and the costs associated with them are overwhelming. Her chemotherapy is paid for (five whole rounds!), but now we’re foreseeing a laundry list of hospitalizations, transfusions, transplants and medicine to cover.

Given that her needs are becoming urgent, and that we’re a team, I’ve decided to adjust the GoFundMe to focus on her. I’ve changed the title, category and now this description. Let’s do some math. Before changing the GoFundMe, $1800 went towards her chemotherapy and $500 went to other medical needs relating to pneumonia. $4000 went for my needs and paying down debt. It was more than enough so I am way more stable now.

$1800 + $500 + $4000 = $6300

At this point I changed the fundraising goal to $10000, and the purpose explicitly for Rose’s needs.

$10000 - $6300 = $3700 left to raise for now.

Before starting her chemotherapy, the oncologist said she needs red blood cell and platelet transfusions. This costs $1250. It is not optional, especially since she is getting nosebleeds almost every day now. Appointments and other needs for the next month add up to $350. This includes oxygen just in case, and gloves for handling chemo waste. We need to get started investigating bone marrow transplants as well as account for any emergency hospitalizations, and I am designating $2100 in donations to that end, whenever those donations come in.

$6300 from previous GoFundMe mission + (($1250 + $350 this month) + $2100 in optional but helpful donations for emergencies) = $10000 as the current total goal.

Thank you to everyone tagging along on this journey. You have shown me hope and given me faith that Rose can have a long life and we can both have fulfilling ones. Let’s show the impact of community.

Love you all.

Jay

We are looking at the possibility of a bone marrow transplant as well. Rose and I will both get our blood tested and see if there’s a match. Otherwise we keep looking. If the chemo brings her into remission we will have more time to get that testing done. If we do find a match it’s going to be a very long road of treatments before and after, but it will be worth it in the end. She’s 29 years old and deserves a full life. Now, thanks to technology and advancements, a complete match is not necessary in order to do the transplant. This gives us hope. This will also factor in any other medical needs during this treatment as her body is fragile and medical emergencies may occur during this time.

I have changed the name of the GoFundMe. As Rose’s leukemia becomes more advanced and medically complex, she will need far more support than me. If this GoFundMe can help with her medical costs, I will be in a position to take care of my own needs and save for my dreams which are getting clearer by the day. They say to put your oxygen mask on first before helping other people. This GoFundMe will help both me and Rose with that message. Rose is constantly worrying about her family, because they normally don’t have enough to eat. In the past she has had to eat just one meal a day so her kid brother could eat three. She feels conflicted about taking care of her health while her family is suffering. As she has gotten sicker, it’s been harder for her to support them. Having her medical needs taken care of will allow her to send money to them without harming herself in the process.

I am setting the new goal to $10,000. The hospitalization costs $1250, and further necessary medication/appointments for this month are $350 which add up to $1600 for this month alone. Additionally, I have spent $500 this month on medical needs so it would be great to offset that. The remaining funds will go toward medical and emergency bills, as well as funding the potential bone marrow transplant.

We have the chance of paying for it piecemeal, but it would cost more in total and we really want her to start chemo this month. It’s worth noting that she cannot be hospitalized until it’s completely paid. The doctor’s plan is to bring her directly from transfusion to chemo. In good news: the cancer clinic is not asking for any more money for the chemo. No more late fees, nothing. 5 rounds of chemo, completely paid off and ready to go because of your support. That is beyond amazing. Listen, any amount helps. Any amount brings us closer. I’m grateful to all of you for reading and following along.

I dream of a world that is community oriented. Groups of people supporting groups of people. We all have our own skills, our own joys, our own dreams. Anthropologists have marked the beginning of civilization as when humans decided to take care of one of their own who could not produce. They fed and treated the disabled person and that person lasted way longer than would have been possible otherwise. I have a disability, and living the life I have lived, I have learned to use my experience as a gift. I can write. I can connect. I have direct knowledge of nonprofit organizations and have met incredible people who changed the way I view the world. Reflecting back, I think that learning how to do computer networking and basic troubleshooting was very useful. My photography? Helpful as well. Everything is leading me towards the path I’m meant to take, and I am excited where it leads. More on this in the next update.

Love you all.

Jay