April's Fund
Donation protected
My cousin April is about to start 5.5 weeks of radiation... for the second time.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time in August of 2018. She went through rounds of chemo, radiation, a double mastectomy, and countless days of waiting and wondering. At the beginning of her diagnosis and following treatment, she had her father, Dave Alarcon, to commiserate/share treatment advice/go to appointments with/share time and escape from reality by listening to music with. He was her guiding light in a truly dark time. Dave lost his battle with cancer in May of 2019. For those who know, the loss of a parent, one who you are so closely bonded, is something that you never heal from. To have to stay physically healthy in her life, on top of grieving, being strong for her son Xavier, husband Donnie and two stepsons, Nick and Jonathan, I honestly don't know how she did it. But she's a fighter if there ever was one. With her strength, positive attitude and the support of her family, friends and loved ones, she battled her ass off and beat cancer.
There was finally a positive light, April's reconstructive surgery. She was to get new foobs (a term for fake boobs that just reinforces her sense of humor) and a tummy tuck to help make her feel a semblance of herself again, even if "frankensteined." After her plastic surgery, which was supposed to be her last surgery in the story of her battle with cancer, she was diagnosed with breast cancer again, this time in her right breast.
April is only 33 years old, and now diagnosed with rare breast cancer that those who have had a double mastectomy, only have a 5% chance of getting.
She went through 15 weeks of oral chemo (small silver lining, she didn't have to lose her hair again!) And now, after everything she's been through, is facing 5.5 weeks of radiation.
On top of the physical and emotional weight that cancer unleashed on April and her family, there is still a never-ending financial burden. Unable to work, because her cancer diagnosis is not deemed "bad enough" to grant her disability, she has ended up to her neck in medical debt.
For those of you who know April, you know that her smile is contagious, her energy is unbreakable, her humility is endless. For those of you who don't know her, just know that there is no one in the world like her. She is the epitome of strong and humble and truly amazing. She did not want to do a fundraiser, because she didn't want to burden anyone. I know in my heart, she would give her all for anyone she cared about, and I am starting this fund in an attempt to do the same. I'm asking for people in my community, friends of friends, to come together to help April and her family. To reinforce her strength and help her in this time of struggle. I know many people are out of work due to the pandemic at hand Today, but this has been April's life for the past 1.5 years, unable to get a full-time job due to appointments, and radiation schedules, yet not qualifying for financial support from the government. Why does someone's cancer have to be labeled "not bad enough" to not receive financial support? It is insane. I know times are tough and it's a crazy world we live in today, day by day, and it's times like these when the humble stay humble, but I am asking for any little bit. Trust me, even a little bit will go a long way.
Thank you for reading, thank you for sharing, thank you for sending love and positive vibes.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time in August of 2018. She went through rounds of chemo, radiation, a double mastectomy, and countless days of waiting and wondering. At the beginning of her diagnosis and following treatment, she had her father, Dave Alarcon, to commiserate/share treatment advice/go to appointments with/share time and escape from reality by listening to music with. He was her guiding light in a truly dark time. Dave lost his battle with cancer in May of 2019. For those who know, the loss of a parent, one who you are so closely bonded, is something that you never heal from. To have to stay physically healthy in her life, on top of grieving, being strong for her son Xavier, husband Donnie and two stepsons, Nick and Jonathan, I honestly don't know how she did it. But she's a fighter if there ever was one. With her strength, positive attitude and the support of her family, friends and loved ones, she battled her ass off and beat cancer.
There was finally a positive light, April's reconstructive surgery. She was to get new foobs (a term for fake boobs that just reinforces her sense of humor) and a tummy tuck to help make her feel a semblance of herself again, even if "frankensteined." After her plastic surgery, which was supposed to be her last surgery in the story of her battle with cancer, she was diagnosed with breast cancer again, this time in her right breast.
April is only 33 years old, and now diagnosed with rare breast cancer that those who have had a double mastectomy, only have a 5% chance of getting.
She went through 15 weeks of oral chemo (small silver lining, she didn't have to lose her hair again!) And now, after everything she's been through, is facing 5.5 weeks of radiation.
On top of the physical and emotional weight that cancer unleashed on April and her family, there is still a never-ending financial burden. Unable to work, because her cancer diagnosis is not deemed "bad enough" to grant her disability, she has ended up to her neck in medical debt.
For those of you who know April, you know that her smile is contagious, her energy is unbreakable, her humility is endless. For those of you who don't know her, just know that there is no one in the world like her. She is the epitome of strong and humble and truly amazing. She did not want to do a fundraiser, because she didn't want to burden anyone. I know in my heart, she would give her all for anyone she cared about, and I am starting this fund in an attempt to do the same. I'm asking for people in my community, friends of friends, to come together to help April and her family. To reinforce her strength and help her in this time of struggle. I know many people are out of work due to the pandemic at hand Today, but this has been April's life for the past 1.5 years, unable to get a full-time job due to appointments, and radiation schedules, yet not qualifying for financial support from the government. Why does someone's cancer have to be labeled "not bad enough" to not receive financial support? It is insane. I know times are tough and it's a crazy world we live in today, day by day, and it's times like these when the humble stay humble, but I am asking for any little bit. Trust me, even a little bit will go a long way.
Thank you for reading, thank you for sharing, thank you for sending love and positive vibes.
Fundraising team: April's Knocker Rockers (3)
Julia Hoff
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
April Alarcon
Beneficiary
PA PHCC
Team member
Susan Hunsinger-Hoff
Team member