Lance Churchill is my older brother, and he’s always been a hard worker. Over the years, he’s held jobs in restaurants, worked as a mechanic, and most recently as a forklift driver. He’s lived in Wichita, Kansas since 1996, after moving from Presque Isle, Maine. Lance tends to keep to himself, but our family has always stayed close, especially now as he faces a major health challenge.

Recently, Lance was diagnosed with lung cancer that has already spread to his ribs. Today, he had a port fitted to begin chemotherapy and radiation treatments. His doctors have told him he needs to complete five treatments a week, and missing them could drastically shorten his life expectancy. The urgency and intensity of his treatment schedule means he can’t work, and the financial strain is growing every day.

Lance doesn’t have health insurance, and he’s not yet old enough for retirement benefits. The cost of his hospital care is still unknown, but he’s already struggling to keep up with basic living expenses like electricity, water, and trash removal. Our mother, sister, and I are doing what we can—helping with transportation, sending money, and paying bills online—but the need is greater than we can manage alone. Any support will help Lance focus on his treatment and ease the burden of his medical and utility bills during this critical time.