https://gofund.me/3c3b17cb

I am trying to help out my cousin so he can survive his cancer and watch his young son grow to adulthood.

Cancer is a tragedy that too many people face in their lifetime. My cousin "C" thought he was going to see his doctor about a hemorrhoid, shortly after he had become a first-time father at 46. He never smoked, ate healthy, was no more than a social drinker, and exercised regularly. Instead, years before he would have been scheduled for his routine screening colonoscopy, he discovered that he had an aggressive form of invasive colorectal adenocarcinoma.

In the past 2 (going on 3) years, C has undergone multiple surgeries, radiation therapy and two rounds of aggressive chemotherapy. When he turned 50 this past July, he was in the hospital recovering from his most aggressive surgery to date. His bladder, prostate, several lymph nodes, and part of his pelvis have all been removed. He now has two ostomy bags, which he will have for the rest of his life.

He has been unable to work as a contractor for extended periods, but on days when he has the energy he still tries to go out to perform job estimates. His wife has taken a housekeeping job at a hotel to offset the money he no longer earns. Although his "good" medical insurance has paid 80%, he now has a medical debt of over $78,000. Family is helping out as much as possible, both with his medical bills as well as daily living expenses, but the figure grows by the week.

The saddest part is that he is responding well to treatment, albeit slowly. He has a strong will to live and wants to survive to see his son grow up. But besides the disease, the financial worries are taking their toll. The family has moved into a 1-bedroom apartment to cut expenses, and has applied for every assistance program the hospitals and social services have to offer. But it says much about the state of the American healthcare system that, even if he made a complete recovery tomorrow, he faces years of crippling debt because of this horrible disease.

I know we cannot fix the world, and so many people are in similar circumstances. But I'm hoping that enough people will decide to skip their Starbucks coffee, or a beer, or a streaming movie rental for just one day, and instead donate the cost of that item to this GoFundMe.

My goal is that we can make the holidays special for him, his wife, and son by helping to pay off a piece of the debt. It's said that you eat the elephant one bite at a time. Maybe we can find people to each contribute a nibble on behalf of C.