Amy Jane McGlynn

My name is Kati-Ann, and I never imagined I would be writing these words. My husband, Alex, has been diagnosed with renal medullary carcinoma (RMC), a rare and aggressive form of kidney cancer. Alex is only 44 years old. Forty-four. We should be talking about our future. We should be planning road trips, gardening together, watching our son grow up, and arguing over what flowers to plant next spring. We should have decades ahead of us. Instead, we're spending our days in hospitals, waiting rooms, and doctor's offices, trying to stay hopeful while facing a diagnosis that has turned our lives upside down. Alex isn't just my husband. He's my best friend. He's the person who helped raise our son, Derrick, as his own. He's the person who shows up when someone needs help. He's the person who makes me laugh when life gets hard. He's my safe place, my home, and the person I always imagined growing old beside. The thought of losing him breaks my heart. The financial reality of cancer is something I never truly understood until now. Between hospital parking fees, gas for trips into the city, medical expenses, lost income, food, and everyday bills, the costs add up faster than we can keep up with them. We still have rent to pay. We still have a son to provide for. Derrick needs new eyeglasses. He needs summer clothes. He deserves parents who can focus on being present with him instead of constantly worrying about how we're going to make ends meet. The hardest part is that this didn't happen after a season of peace. Just months before Alex's diagnosis, I completed a two-year court battle involving the abuse I endured growing up. I was still trying to heal from that chapter of my life. I was still trying to catch my breath and rebuild emotionally, physically, and financially. Then cancer walked through our front door. Some days I feel strong. Some days I feel terrified. Most days I feel both. I keep trying to be everything for everyone: wife, mother, caregiver, business owner, advocate, and friend. But the truth is, I'm exhausted. Not because I don't love my husband. Not because I don't want to fight. Because I never got the chance to heal before life handed us another battle. If I'm being completely honest, I don't just need help with bills. I need time. Time to sit in the garden with my husband. Time to hold his hand. Time to make memories with our son. Time to take one more family road trip if his health allows it. Time to be a family without every moment being overshadowed by fear. Please don't wait. Don't wait until there's a funeral to send flowers. Don't wait until I'm standing alone to tell me how much Alex meant to you. Don't wait until our story is over to show your support. If you love us, pray for us now. If you're able to help, help now. If you can share our story, share it now. What I want more than anything is time. Time to make memories. Time to take one more family road trip. Time to sit in the garden with my husband. Time to laugh together, hold hands, and enjoy the life we've built while we still have it. I want support while Alex is here to feel it. I want him to know how loved he is. I want our son, Derrick, to see how people come together when a family is struggling. To every friend who has called, texted, stopped by, brought food, sat with us, prayed for us, shared our posts, or simply checked in to ask how we're doing—thank you. You have no idea how much those acts of kindness mean. The scary parts of this journey feel a little less scary because of you. You remind us every day that we are not fighting alone. I also want to thank a very special friend, Amy. Truthfully, I didn't want a GoFundMe. Amy created this fundraiser because she saw what I couldn't bring myself to say out loud—that we needed help. While helping us navigate Alex's cancer diagnosis, Amy has been fighting her own battle with lymphoma. Despite carrying her own pain, she continues to lift others up, offer guidance, answer questions, and show up when people need her most. She has been one of the angels in our corner from the beginning of this journey, and I will never forget the kindness, support, and friendship she has shown our family. The funds raised will help our family with rent, food, gas, hospital parking, medical expenses, transportation costs, and daily living expenses so that we can focus on what matters most: spending precious time together and helping Alex fight this disease. Every donation, every share, every prayer, and every kind message means more than you know. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing with us. With love, Kati-Ann, Alex, and Derrick #AlexStrong Alexander is a dear friend who is currently facing one of the toughest battles of his life: RMC, a rare form of kidney cancer. The financial burden has been overwhelming for Alexander and his wife, Kati. Every day, Kati pays a significant amount just to park at the hospital so she can be by Alexander’s side. Both have lost significant time at work due to treatments and the toll this illness has taken on their lives. The mounting medical bills, daily living expenses, and unexpected costs that come with a cancer diagnosis have made an already difficult situation even harder. The funds raised through this campaign will go directly toward helping Alexander and Kati with essential needs—covering food, gas for trips into the city, parking garage fees, medical bills, and other daily living costs. Your support will help ease their financial stress so they can focus on what matters most: Alexander’s fight and their time together. Alex is fighting hard, and Kati is beside him every step of the way. Their marriage is strong, and we are all trying to manifest a miracle. The odds are against him, but he is Alex Strong and determined to beat the odds. Part of the funds may also help with making final arrangements, as the statistics are daunting, but we believe Alex will knock out this cancer. Thank you for being part of Alex and Kati’s support system. Please send prayers and good vibes their way. Anything you can donate is deeply appreciated—every dollar truly counts.- Amy