AJ Lapanna and his family need your support!

This fundraiser will provide much-needed financial support to Army Master Sergeant (retired) and Police Sergeant AJ Lapanna and his family during his battle with lung cancer. Please read their story and consider contributing:   In April 2021, AJ was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic head and neck cancer. He underwent a neck dissection to remove 38 Lymph nodes followed by chemo-radiation. The treatments left him unable to work until January of 2022. In March of 2022, after his first 3-month CT scan, a nodule was discovered in his right lung. After a biopsy of the nodule, doctors confirmed cancer had spread to the right lower lobe of his lung. A follow-up PET scan also revealed the cancer had spread to his right humerus. AJ is on long-term medical leave from the police department to receive the necessary medical care. He is scheduled to receive radiation, surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung and infected lymph nodes, followed by chemotherapy. AJs cancer is likely related to exposures during military deployments. It is unknown if he will ever return to work.   AJ retired after a 23-year career in the Army National Guard, ten years in the Military Police and 13 years in the Army Special Forces (Green Berets). He served two combat tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq. AJ’s amazing wife, Traci holds the family together through this difficult time. They have a 14-year-old son and a 15-year-old daughter.   AJ has spent over two decades serving his country and his community. Now he needs your help. His brothers in the U.S. Army Special Operations community hope you will support AJ and his family in their time of need.