Save Joel from Melanoma
Donation protected
My name is Joel Parker and I'm a Political Science major at American University in Washington D.C. I'm a well respected writer and thinker amongst my peers and my professors, held internships in Congress and with Mayor Kevin Faulconer in San Diego, and even sold cars over the summer to finance my studies. On Thursday, May 24th 2018 I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma and was forced to put my life on hold. A benign mole on my forehead, which I've had since birth, morphed into a cancerous tumor 3cm across, 1cm tall, and 8mm deep.
On June 12th I had it excised and several lymph nodes in my neck removed to ensure the cancer hasn't spread. My surgeons and oncologist have articulated the need for me to spend this summer resting and focusing on my health. Regardless of the biopsy results for my lymph nodes I'll need to adhere to an aggressive schedule of adjuvant therapy, including radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and perhaps chemotherapy to mitigate the high chance of recurrence inherent to melanomas. At my doctors' urging I quit my job in preparation for this, and I'm thus unable to earn the money I need to make car and insurance payments, and offset my school tuition costs. With your generous support I hope to offset the setback life has dealt me, and be financially able to look after my health as is necessary. As they come I'll be posting updates on my CaringBridge site, which can be found at this URL: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/joelparker.
Please keep me in your prayers. This is a difficult time for me, and I didn't expect that at 20 my primary concern would be cancer. I'm looking forward to moving past this disease and living the wholesome and impactful life God intends for me.
With sincere thanks,
Joel Parker
On June 12th I had it excised and several lymph nodes in my neck removed to ensure the cancer hasn't spread. My surgeons and oncologist have articulated the need for me to spend this summer resting and focusing on my health. Regardless of the biopsy results for my lymph nodes I'll need to adhere to an aggressive schedule of adjuvant therapy, including radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and perhaps chemotherapy to mitigate the high chance of recurrence inherent to melanomas. At my doctors' urging I quit my job in preparation for this, and I'm thus unable to earn the money I need to make car and insurance payments, and offset my school tuition costs. With your generous support I hope to offset the setback life has dealt me, and be financially able to look after my health as is necessary. As they come I'll be posting updates on my CaringBridge site, which can be found at this URL: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/joelparker.
Please keep me in your prayers. This is a difficult time for me, and I didn't expect that at 20 my primary concern would be cancer. I'm looking forward to moving past this disease and living the wholesome and impactful life God intends for me.
With sincere thanks,
Joel Parker
Organizer
Joel Parker
Organizer
San Diego, CA