A Loving Father & Son with Stage IV Cancer

Hi, my name is Althea Cardwell and I am creating this page for my son, Michael Cardwell Jr. Michael is a 37 years old, amazing father of 2, that has recently had his life turned upside down.

September 11th has a very patriotic meaning to most but on 9/11/23 my son was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer that has metastasized to his liver and lungs. He is currently receiving treatment at the University of California-Irvine where they have him on 5 different chemotherapy medications. I can see the struggle he's going through and it is so hard for me to watch. The low-energy, lack of appetite, pain, mental stress, just a few symptoms that I notice. Some days are better for him than others, but he is a fighter! He is strong, mentally and physically. More importantly, I love watching him gather his strength to be there for his boys, trying his hardest to not miss a beat.

Our family is a praying family, and we know that one day his cancer journey will be his testimony of how good God truly is! Although my son lives with his kids on the West Coast, our Michigan-based family is doing all we can to travel to be with him during his treatment weeks.

Michael has just completed his third chemotherapy treatment and as you can imagine, the costs are beginning to pile up. I want my son to be able to focus on what is important, not the financial burden that this journey carries.

Everyone that knows my son would agree that he touches the lives of everyone with his smile and personality. He lives his life giving and warming the hearts of others. I am asking for all of our friends and family to come together and help support my son. Every dollar helps, no donation is too big or too small. There is no real goal, but one has been set for the purposes of this platform.

Please help me show Michael that he has a village of people supporting him through this difficult time in his life. To those of you who have already contributed in other ways, I say Thank You. To others who want to know how you can support outside of this platform, please contact Michael or myself directly.

Love Always,

Momma Cardwell

**** Many have asked if Michael is doing this journey alone when his family is not visiting him from Michigan. Michael is not alone. First and foremost, God is walking him through this journey so he will never be alone. He also has the full support from loved ones that have traveled to see him, his partner Judy Collins and her friends & family, his sons mother Brandy Vallette and her friends & family, as well as other close friends and co-workers that he has made along the way. It truly takes a village and Michael has one!

Donations are important but feel free to leave "Words of Support" as well.

Thank you again for all the love and support.

11/3/2023: This is Mike. I'd like to thank each and every one of you. My mom started this Go Fund Me account as her way to help me, as a mom would. I have received so many calls and texts from so many of you and all of it is heartfelt, pure love. I want to continue to share my progress with everyone. It is hard opening up my personal life to others but sometimes in life we are humbled and need to be a little vulnerable. I've been encouraged to share my story to the world on a social platform. Haven't figured out all the details yet but I'm thinking maybe a YouTube channel. This will allow me to keep friends and family updated real time with the good and the not so good. I love you all, I appreciate all the support, and I will always be the fighter that everyone knows I am.

11/26/2023: I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday. I'm blessed to be able spend another holiday with friends and family. God is good! I'm all smiles at the moment ☺️.

I wanted to give the update that I'm currently using Tiktok and later YouTube to share my journey. I provided the link below. I will post updates as often as I can. Please be patient with me. None of this is easy for me but I believe that sharing my story is part of my purpose here on earth. The love and support continues and I am forever grateful. Until next time, be blessed! ♥️

TIKTOK