I've been hesitant to ask for any help because it's all unpleasant and uncomfortable to discuss, but I was encouraged to be proud of my survivorship and ask for help. In 2019, I was very surprisingly diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. At the time my kids were 12 and 17 and I am a single mom. I am very grateful and feel very lucky that I am one of the small percentage of people who had an excellent response to treatment and surgeries and am continuing to show no evidence of disease 6 years later. I have some permanent side effects, such as minor heart failure and neuropathy, but I manage them and am living well and working hard. I still continue to be monitored with blood work and scans a few times a year.

My challenge is that the out-of-pocket portion of treatment quickly added up over the years. Cancer care is expensive, even with good insurance. At this point I have paid over half of the total owed. In the past year, the cost of living has steadily increased, including a bump in my monthly mortgage payment due to rising property taxes and am living paycheck to paycheck and now I am at the point where I am starting to decide which bills not to pay and asking if I need to move. I work full time in a career I love, but it just isn't enough. Additionally, I am seeking a second, part time job.

My hope with this fundraiser is that it goes far and wide and I receive many, very small donations. The last thing I want to do is strain anyone else's budget.

I am a colon cancer advocate and will continue to advocate for more screening, better funding for research and making cancer care affordable and accessible for everyone.

I am so deeply grateful for all of you!