His fight is our fight! Please consider helping my wonderful 30-year-old friend, Derek and his family as he fights his battle against Terminal Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (LRCHL). Help ease the burden on his family financially for his wife & 3 year old son.
The cancer has spread to his organs outside of the lymphatic system, including his liver and lungs.
Anyone who knows Derek knows he’s the kind of person who shows up — for his friends, for his neighbors, and for his community. He’s the first to lend a hand, offer support, and ask for nothing in return. Now, it’s our turn to show up for him.
In March 2025, Derek started experiencing what he thought were just lingering, unexplained symptoms. After a series of scans and biopsies, he was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma — an aggressive form of blood cancer that had already spread throughout his lymphatic system.
Since then, Derek has undergone surgery, completed one round of high-dose chemotherapy, and is preparing for another. He’s had a port placed, endured long days in infusion rooms, faced brutal side effects, and lived through the unimaginable heartbreak of telling his family that he has cancer.
Even in the thick of it, Derek kept showing up — to appointments, to responsibilities, even to work. But now, he’s exhausted in every possible way: physically, emotionally, and mentally. And for once, he’s allowing himself to do the one thing he’s always put last — ask for help. That’s where I come in.
I’m organizing this fundraiser because I want to give Derek the time, space, and support he needs to fight — and survive — this battle without being buried by medical debt or the pressure to keep working through chemo. He needs rest. He needs care. And he deserves the chance to heal fully.
Our Goal: $200,000
Yes, it’s a big number — because this is a big fight. This amount reflects the actual, day-to-day cost of surviving aggressive cancer while trying to keep life from falling apart. Every dollar goes directly toward helping Derek recover:
1. Critical Medical Treatment – $60,000
Biopsies, staging scans (PET/CT), port placement, multiple chemo cycles, and a stem cell transplant. These treatments aren’t optional — they’re what’s keeping Derek alive.
2. Ongoing Specialist Care – $35,000
This includes oncology and hematology visits, imaging to track progress, lab work, and second opinions. The care doesn’t stop when chemo does — it’s continuous and costly.
3. Lifelong Medications – $25,000
Derek now depends on medications for pain, nausea, immune support, anxiety, and long-term hormone regulation. Many aren’t fully covered by insurance.
4. Mental Health Support – $10,000
Cancer affects more than the body. These funds cover trauma therapy for Derek, and emotional resources to help everyone navigate this new reality.
5. Missed Income & Household Survival – $60,000
Derek has been pushing through treatment and working when he could, but that’s no longer sustainable. This support helps cover rent, food, utilities, and other essentials during his time off.
6. Emergency & Unplanned Medical Costs – $10,000
Cancer is unpredictable — infections, ER visits, surprise scans. This emergency buffer ensures Derek can get care without deeper financial strain.
If you’ve made it this far — thank you. Truly. Even $5 helps. Every share matters. Every word of encouragement lifts him up.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about medical bills. It’s about giving Derek a real shot at healing — without the stress of wondering if he can pay his rent or afford his next treatment. It’s about easing the burden on someone who’s spent his life showing up for others, and who now needs us to show up for him.
— Alex
