Hi, my name is Gene Park. I’m a games critic at The Washington Post, and I’m living with stage 4 colon cancer.

I was first diagnosed in June 2022. After a dozen rounds of chemotherapy and multiple major surgeries, I entered 2023 in remission, a period I was deeply grateful for and hoped would last.

In October 2023, doctors discovered a tumor in my right lung. It was metastatic colon cancer, not a new lung cancer. It was treated with cryoablation, allowing me to preserve my lung function.

Last November, another tumor was found, this time in my left lung. My cancer has returned again, and it has proven stubborn. On January 29, I will undergo a lobectomy to remove an entire lobe of my lung in order to remove the tumor. (It’s the same surgery Walter White undergoes in "Breaking Bad," and here's hoping there's no "baby blue" end credits for me anytime soon.) Afterward, I’m expected to resume chemotherapy.

While I’m incredibly fortunate to have access to excellent medical care, the reality is that ongoing treatment, surgery, recovery time, and follow-up care will cost tens of thousands of dollars over the coming year and beyond. Even with insurance, the financial weight of cancer is heavy and persistent.

This is not something I am comfortable doing, but I’m humbly asking for help to ease that burden, so I can focus on recovery, continuing treatment, and getting back to the work and life I love. If you’re able to donate or share this page, I’m deeply grateful. And if you’ve taken the time to read this, my family and I thank you for being here.