One moment, I was planning the year ahead. The next, I was sitting in a doctor’s office hearing the words:

“You have a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer.”

Everything changed in an instant.

My treatment will be long, complex, and both physically and mentally exhausting. It will begin with several months of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, followed by time to heal. Then, I’ll undergo a double mastectomy. After another recovery period, I face the possibility of radiation, and finally, additional immunotherapy.

I’ve asked my doctor more than once if there’s any chance I can keep working through this.

Each time, her answer has been the same: This will be profoundly debilitating — and I need to give my body every possible chance to survive it.

That means I’ll be out of work for at least 7 to 9 months.

And that’s terrifying.

So many of my friends and family have asked how they can help. I haven't known how to answer until now. Truth is, I’m now facing not only a life-threatening diagnosis, but the urgent question of how I will continue to take care of my responsibilities.

My health insurance premiums are a lifeline — they give me access to the care I need. Losing that coverage would mean interruptions in treatment, and with a cancer this aggressive, that’s simply not an option.

If you know me, you know I’ve spent my career showing up for people in their hardest moments.

As a psychologist, I’ve worked to make psychiatric hospitals more humane and affirming for people navigating severe mental illness and crisis.

As an LGBTQ+ sensitivity and trans inclusion consultant, I’ve fought to make organizations safer and more equitable, especially for trans and nonbinary staff who are too often overlooked.

Now, I’m the one in crisis. And I need help.

I’ve launched a GoFundMe to cover my living expenses, insurance premiums, medical costs and other needs while I undergo treatment. If you’re able to contribute, I’m deeply grateful. If you can’t, sharing this with your network means the world.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for standing with me — now, when it matters most.

The Fight Continues,

A.C.