Help Derek Drew Beat Cancer
Imagine being in your senior year of college – just months away from graduation – and you are hit with news that changes your life in less than a minute.
That is what happened recently to Derek Drew. After returning from an event, Derek didn’t feel his usual energetic self. That feeling got progressively worse and he went to the emergency room. After being admitted to the hospital and days of tests, On his birthday in March, Derek received the news that rocked his world.
He was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Cancer at just 23 years old.
BUT HE DIDN'T GIVE UP! While going through chemotherapy treatments, Derek continued with his classes AND he continued to compete in track.
Check this out:
1. He still graduated with his Bachelor's Degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville!
2. He won his track conference!
3. AND he made it the NCAA National Qualifiers!
ALL WHILE GOING THROUGH CHEMOTHERAPY!
No doubt, Derek Drew is a fighter and he's not going to give in to cancer. As he goes through treatment this summer, he's trying to rest and build up his strength while making plans to start his Master's degree.
BUT HE NEEDS OUR HELP AS HE CONTINUES THE LONG ROAD AHEAD FOR TREATMENT.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of cancer that starts from cells that become certain white blood cells (called lymphocytes) in the bone marrow. The cancer cells start in the bone marrow but then go into the blood. In CLL, the leukemia cells often build up slowly over time, and many people don't have any symptoms for at least a few years. In time, the cells can spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen.
Derek remains in good faith and knows that God is still in control. Derek has been a track athlete for the majority of his life. He knows how to jump hurdles. With our help, he can jump this one as well and cross the finish line victoriously.
With our help, we can ease the financial burden on Derek and his family. His commute to and from treatments at an off-campus hospital in a different city and supplies that will ease the residual effects of chemo are just a few things that he’ll need – not to mention the hospital bills that will be enormous.
Derek is a child of Aurora. He’s a graduate of Oswego East High School. He’s an Aurora Flyer. He’s a brother of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He's family and he needs our help. There is no amount that is too small.
Let’s HELP DEREK BEAT CANCER!
PLEASE DONATE WHAT YOU CAN AND SPREAD THE WORD!
