Support Aaron Banfield on his Cancer Journey

Aaron Ross Banfield, Aharon Ben Yehudit, of blessed memory, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2023 (2 Nisan 5783).

This fundraiser continues to support Aaron’s family with end-of-life expenses, his Celebration of Life, and seed money for Aaron Banfield Memorial Scholarship.

Much love and gratitude 

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UPDATE - Please watch Aaron’s update video for an important update on the status of his health and how he has reoriented the goals and intentions of this fundraiser. 

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In light of these changed circumstances, we are reaching out again to our community for support. 

Priorities now are:

- Providing Aaron with special and memorable experiences during this last chapter of his life. 
- Assisting with funds for the funeral and associated expenses. 
- Supporting self-care and facilitating meaningful activities for Aaron’s family as they go through the mourning process.
- Providing seed money for the Aaron Banfield Memorial Scholarship

We feel massive gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the funding we’ve received, which allowed Aaron and his family to relax about money and focus on wellness and togetherness during these past eight months. The difference made by all of you who have shown up cannot be fully expressed or even understood yet. Just know that we hold an abiding sense of being blessed by the people who’ve formed a community of care, love, and goodwill around us. 

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In Spring of 2019 at age 37, Aaron received a diagnosis of colon cancer that would launch him on a challenging and transformative chapter of his life. Aaron has been semi-private about this experience, so we know this news may be a surprise to many.

 

After 3 surgeries and a course of chemotherapy, as well as working closely with complementary practitioners, Aaron had a number of clear cancer tests and we thought that we were done with the journey.

 

In October of this year, a CT scan showed a new mass in Aaron's pelvis which coincided with some serious digestive disturbance. The journey, it turns out, is not over.

 

Aaron has been staying in the hospital receiving treatment for the last several weeks. He is strong and in otherwise good health, but is unable to work during this time. There is treatment, possibly surgery, and recovery ahead, and the timeline is unknown for when he'll be able to go home and, eventually, return to work.

 

Three periods of hospitalizations, surgeries, and a course of chemo have all caused major interruptions to Aaron's income - particularly impactful as a self-employed practitioner (Aaron is a talented and respected acupuncturist, for those who don't know him well). He is also working with different therapies and complementary treatments to support his healing, all of which come with a cost.

 

We created this fundraiser as a way for Aaron's community to show support by assisting with his expenses, both living and medical, and to ease the burden on him and his family during this time. 

 

Aaron is a dear friend, community member, medicine person, son, brother, nephew, and more. He has dedicated his life to healing others, and has supported so many people on their own health journeys, in life-changing ways. He's resilient, committed, and focused, and we know he will pour all of his energy and intention into facing this challenge. Your support will help to lift him up and carry him through this time, and we thank you deeply for your generosity and care.