After 13 years serving patients at Cedars-Sinai, cancer may force me to stop.

I’ve been the only Catholic volunteer on Sunday at Cedars-Sinai for years—serving at Mass, visiting patients, and bringing comfort when they need it most. Now, stage three cancer threatens to end my ministry. I’m asking for your help so I can recover, return to work, and continue serving the people who count on me.

In 2012, I joined the Catholic chaplaincy team at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. I assist our lead chaplain, Fr. John Sigler, with Mass and other duties, and when he’s away, I lead a communion service for patients.

This ministry matters. For many patients, these moments of prayer, presence, and comfort are the highlight of their week. Over the years, I’ve seen how spiritual care can give strength and hope in the midst of illness.

But now, I’m the one who needs help.

I have been diagnosed with stage three oropharyngeal cancer. Treatment has been difficult, and living alone in California without income has made it harder. I’m unemployed, struggling to cover basic expenses, and increasingly unsure how much longer I can continue volunteering. If things don’t improve, I may have to step away—leaving Father John alone and the patients without this ministry.

Your support will:

I’ve devoted 13 years to this work, and I don’t want to be remembered as the last Catholic Sunday volunteer at Cedars-Sinai.

How You Can Help

I admit I was a bit embarrassed to write this. I don’t like asking for help. I brought myself to and from radiation and chemotherapy without any help. No one cooked for me or came to visit me during my treatment. I didn’t ask anyone to come and hold my hand while I cried and was alone. I thought I could handle it all on my own.

I realize now, hopefully not too late, that I was wrong. I can’t do it alone.

Thank you for reading my story, for caring, and for helping me keep this ministry alive.