In September 2025, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Thirty-six hours later, I underwent a radical inguinal orchiectomy in an effort to stop the cancer from spreading. For a while, I felt hopeful—believing the cancer was contained and that life would soon get back on track. Two days ago, at my first six-month follow-up appointment, our world shifted again. My doctors informed us that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes behind my abdomen. Because of this, I must begin chemotherapy immediately. Treatment will start in about a week. Chemotherapy will make it extremely difficult for me to work, and medical bills and everyday living expenses are already piling up.
Before all of this started, I had a stable job for over two years. I was told the company considered us “family” and would be there if anything ever happened. As medical appointments increased and my health needs grew, I needed more and more time away from work. Eventually, I was removed from the schedule and effectively lost my job. Over the last six months, my wife and I have done everything we can to stay afloat. Right after the orchiectomy, we started a small business making custom photo magnets, and we are incredibly grateful for the support it has received. My wife also began esthetician school, while I’ve been taking odd jobs and working toward transitioning careers. I had been lined up to captain Tiki tour boats for the spring and summer seasons while continuing my other work. Unfortunately, with chemotherapy over the next 9 weeks, and recovery from that for several months after, I will likely miss out on those opportunities as well.
We have used our savings, relied on credit cards, and worked tirelessly to keep moving forward. We had finally started seeing some improvement and were hopeful again. My wife and I had even begun planning to start a family. Now we face another difficult step. Before chemotherapy begins, we need to freeze my sperm because treatment can affect fertility. After chemotherapy, we will likely need to wait about two years before trying to conceive safely. Being able to preserve this opportunity for our future family is incredibly important to us, but the cost of sperm freezing and storage is another unexpected financial burden during an already overwhelming time.
Every donation will go directly toward chemotherapy and medical expenses, the cost of sperm freezing and fertility preservation before treatment, travel to and from treatments and appointments, rent, utilities, and basic living expenses while I am unable to work, and support for my wife as she stands by me through treatment. As difficult as it is to ask, we are reaching out for help because we simply cannot do this alone. Any help you can give means the world to us and brings us hope for the future.
Before all of this started, I had a stable job for over two years. I was told the company considered us “family” and would be there if anything ever happened. As medical appointments increased and my health needs grew, I needed more and more time away from work. Eventually, I was removed from the schedule and effectively lost my job. Over the last six months, my wife and I have done everything we can to stay afloat. Right after the orchiectomy, we started a small business making custom photo magnets, and we are incredibly grateful for the support it has received. My wife also began esthetician school, while I’ve been taking odd jobs and working toward transitioning careers. I had been lined up to captain Tiki tour boats for the spring and summer seasons while continuing my other work. Unfortunately, with chemotherapy over the next 9 weeks, and recovery from that for several months after, I will likely miss out on those opportunities as well.
We have used our savings, relied on credit cards, and worked tirelessly to keep moving forward. We had finally started seeing some improvement and were hopeful again. My wife and I had even begun planning to start a family. Now we face another difficult step. Before chemotherapy begins, we need to freeze my sperm because treatment can affect fertility. After chemotherapy, we will likely need to wait about two years before trying to conceive safely. Being able to preserve this opportunity for our future family is incredibly important to us, but the cost of sperm freezing and storage is another unexpected financial burden during an already overwhelming time.
Every donation will go directly toward chemotherapy and medical expenses, the cost of sperm freezing and fertility preservation before treatment, travel to and from treatments and appointments, rent, utilities, and basic living expenses while I am unable to work, and support for my wife as she stands by me through treatment. As difficult as it is to ask, we are reaching out for help because we simply cannot do this alone. Any help you can give means the world to us and brings us hope for the future.