Hello, as many know, my name is Mark and this is something I never thought I’d have to write in my life, but here I am and here's my story.
I’m living with stage 4 metastatic colorectal cancer, doing intense chemotherapy treatment every other week for 53 hours straight, and to say the least, it has changed every part of my life. Before cancer, I planned my days around work, my son, responsibilities, and the future. Now, I plan my days around pain levels, exhaustion, appointments, and whether my body will cooperate at all. Some days/weeks are manageable. Other weeks are incredibly hard. There are days when the treatments leave me weak, nauseous, lightheaded, and completely drained, days when even simple things like cooking a meal, standing too long, walking to the bathroom, or concentrating feels impossible. Treatment doesn’t just affect me physically; it affects my ability to function, to work, and to feel like myself. Recovery isn’t predictable, and there’s no schedule my body follows anymore. Because of this, recently I’m often unable to work, and that loss of income has created overwhelming stress. While I’m doing everything I can to fight this disease, the bills don’t stop. Basic daily needs keep coming and the needs for my son keep arising, even on the days when I can barely get out of bed.
So with that, I created this GoFundMe because I need help—help staying afloat during the weeks when my health takes everything out of me. The support from this will go toward basic living expenses along with my son's needs, allowing me to focus on treatment, rest, and getting through each day without the constant fear of falling behind financially.
Asking for help is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I’ve always tried to handle things on my own, but cancer has shown me how fragile life can be and how necessary it is to lean on others when you’re struggling.
If you’re able to donate, please know that no amount is too small, and every bit truly helps more than I can put into words. If you can’t donate, sharing this page is just as meaningful. Your kindness, support, and prayers mean everything to me right now.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for helping me through one of the hardest chapters of my life. I love you all!
Organizer
