Neighbor News
Maryland Mom Launches Gofundme campaign for sons Stage 4 Cancer
GoFund Me Launched for Rare Stage 4 Bile Duct Cancer
With no place left to turn, long-time Bel Air resident Jean Prezioso
has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for her son AJ’s ongoing
chemotherapy and dialysis treatments for stage 4 bile duct cancer, as
well as to help with daily living expenses for her and her granddaughter
as they face foreclosure on their home.
Diagnosed with bladder cancer at just 18 months, AJ has been in and
out of hospitals for most of his 30 years. On the transplant list for
half of that time, he was about to receive a kidney from a cousin when
his oncologist discovered during a routine scan that AJ’s cancer had
returned – but this time, in his stomach, intestines and bile duct.
With a kidney transplant off the table for five years, AJ now undergoes
dialysis three days a week for four hours at a time in his hometown of
Burien, WA.
And no longer able to work in order to qualify for state insurance to
offset his mounting medical bills, AJ spends most of his time at home,
doing his best to fight against the debilitating disease ravaging his
body.
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“Since I was younger, I’ve wanted nothing more than to be normal, but
this is my normal,” said AJ. “This is the life I’ve lived for the past
30 years, and I don’t want to be seen as the ‘sick person” anymore. I
just want to be seen as someone trying to get through the obstacles of
life just like everyone else.”
But hardship isn’t confined to AJ. When she learned about the spot
on AJ’s liver on April 16, Jean bought a one-way ticket to Seattle.
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“He’s my only son and I’m going to be by his side throughout this entire ordeal,” added Jean. “I’m not going anywhere.”
With dwindling savings and an income unable to cover AJ’s ongoing
care, Jean faces foreclosure on the home where she raised her family –
and where her pregnant granddaughter lives as she anticipates the
arrival of Jean’s great-grandson in October. The GoFundMe campaign is
Jean’s final effort to raise much-needed funds both for AJ’s medical
treatments as well as her own gas, food, mortgage and other daily living
expenses.
To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/ajteam or call/email Jean directly.
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