Help Mercy Gonzalez fight stage IV cancer

Mercedes "Mercy" Gonzalez has been part of the Berkeley community for 22 years, serving as "Command Central" of the Student Life Suite. Every parent and student over those years has talked to Mercy while reporting absences or early departures, assisting with stubborn lockers or lost and found, or just saying hi and connecting with a friendly face.

This fall, Mercy received life-altering news: she was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer. This GoFundme page is being set up to help Mercy as she battles stage IV Cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer in her bile ducts and liver.

Funds will help cover

-Medical expenses and consultations not covered by insurance

-Treatment not covered by insurance

-Living expenses, for when Hector, Josh and Andrew miss days from work beyond their allotted PTO.

The longer story-In October 2022 frequent and very painful backaches and unexplained pain under her ribs prompted Mercy to seek medical help. After a battery of blood tests, CT scans, MRIs, infusions, liver and uterine biopsies, and finally, a PET scan that is when Mercy's nightmare began. She was diagnosed with metastatic stage IV bile duct cancer that had spread to her liver, both lungs and spine.

After consultations, Mercy started treatment in November. Treatments consist of 5 radiation therapies to shrink the tumors on her T 10 vertebrae and a grueling chemotherapy cycle of 2 weeks in a row with a 1 week recovery time and then it starts all over.

Mercy is currently on indefinite medical leave from BPS given her relentless treatment schedule. Whether you help spread the word and/or contribute, please know you are helping Mercy and her family immensely. Thank you for your love and support.