Support Alex's Fight Against Stage 3 Colon Cancer

Who am I?

Hey there, my name is Alex, I'm 34, and I was recently diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer.

Stage 3 colon cancer means that my cancer has spread beyond the initial tumor site, and has been found in my lymph nodes. This was confirmed via surgery, which removed the sigmoid colon, and several of the nearby lymph nodes.

While the surgery was effective in removing the majority of my cancer, since the cancer has been found in the lymph nodes, I must start chemotherapy to prevent further spreading, and hopefully kill all traces of the cancer in my body.

Before Cancer:

After a 15 year gap, I returned to college as a full time student in January of 2024. Despite not being a good student in the past, I worked hard and achieved a 4.0 for my first semester back. I struggled finding a job until August, where I was fortunate enough to obtain two part time jobs on my college's campus.

I am now expected to achieve my associates degree this December, and have been accepted into Stony Brook University in their undergraduate program.

My goal is to complete my Bachelors degree and Masters degree in a combined program over the next 3 years, and ideally I will pursue my PhD in Spanish Literature and Language so that I can become a Spanish Professor.

Why do I need your help?

I have already missed several weeks of work due to Doctor appointments, and surgery, and will continue to miss work as I start chemotherapy in December. Being a full time student, and having 2 part time jobs has never been easy to juggle, but losing time from work is making it difficult to keep up with my bills. While I am concerned about things like paying for my car, insurance, and medicine, my biggest fear is not having sufficient funds to complete my degree as planned.

If you are able to donate, great! Thank you so much!

If you are unable to donate, that's okay too! Thank you anyway!

Just please share my story; it's important that we increase awareness, and normalize listening to our bodies when something is wrong. Stay well!

Love,

Alex