In July 2020, at only 46 years old, our friend Aaron was diagnosed with Stage 4, terminal Colo-Rectal Cancer. By the time the colon tumors were detected, the cancer had spread throughout his body infecting both lungs, his liver and the lymph nodes in his groin and spine. He was given less than a year to live.

He immediately started aggressive chemotherapy, targeted radiation, and underwent surgery for a diverting colonoscopy to avoid possible perforation of the colon.

He spent the rest of 2020 on Short Term Disability resting and recovering from the intense treatments. Aaron beat those initial odds and felt well enough to return to work in February 2021. However, his position was almost immediately eliminated and he lost his job, insurance and benefits.

Aaron has over 23 years of experience in his field, he worked hard and obtained another full-time job by April 2021 and continued to focus on healing and getting his life back to “normal”. Despite his strength of will and determination, the increasing pain and weakness from the multiple cancers made it difficult for him to function at full capacity.

In June 2021, another round of scans revealed that the cancer had continued to spread and worsen. He began a second round of aggressive chemotherapy. In August 2021 the pain and weakness that accompanied the chemotherapy treatments forced Aaron to look into options Short Term Disability with his new employer. However, the provider determined his cancer a pre-existing condition, he was denied Short Term Disability and has been forced to dip into his savings to make ends meet. He has just about tapped out his savings and has been selling valuables to keep cash flow to pay mortgage, food etc. but these items are quickly vanishing as well.

In addition, due to the denial of Short-Term Disability, his employer no longer paid premiums and he is in danger of losing his insurance unless he pays several thousand dollars immediately. If he loses his insurance, he would subsequently be responsible for 100% of the thousands of dollars of treatments he has received since August 2021.

Then in October 2021, scans revealed that this chemotherapy regimen had also failed to make any significant progress on the cancers. The doctors removed Aaron from these treatments instead encouraging him to go into hospice care, concentrate on pain management and prepare for his demise, giving him 8-10 months to live. Aaron is a fighter and USMC Veteran and will not concede defeat or give up the fight. He has been doing a lot of research and will be beginning a series of therapeutic treatments in November 2021.

However, none of the therapeutics are covered by insurance and are not cheap.

We are hoping to raise some funds to help pay for past insurance premiums, current medical expenses, and his upcoming therapeutic treatment expenses as well as relieve the stress of making ends meet with the basics of food, utilities and mortgage.

Although he tries to hide it, the financial stress is taking a toll on him and we really want him to be able to focus on fighting the cancer.

Thank you for your consideration in helping Aaron in his battle with cancer.