Fundraiser Launched For Reporter Fighting For First Amendment Rights While Battling Cancer

A reporter for The Trentonian newspaper is fighting for his First Amendment right to publish what he feels should be published in a child abuse case while at the same time fighting for his own life.

Isaac Avilucea, 27, has been diagnosed with testicular cancer that has spread to his lungs and lymph nodes, according to the Isaac Avilucea Fund gofundme page.

As of Wednesday, the page had raised $1,390 of the $50,000 goal to help Avilucea pay his medical fees not covered by his health insurance.

He is currently undergoing a 12-week chemotherapy treatment course at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

According to the page, The Trentonian’s lawyer is asking Avilucea to make a deal that will keep secret documents he rightfully gained, and he has retained his own attorney that will work pro bono.

The story deals with a 5-year-old boy who was removed from his family by authorities after he was found with heroin and cocaine at school on two different occasions, according to The Daily Beast. The child is currently in foster care.

Avilucea claims the mother willingly gave him a document that included sensitive information in a courtroom hallway, but the newspaper has been prevented from legally publishing that information.

Avilucea detailed his ongoing battle with testicular cancer in this blog post, published on Dec. 20.

To contribute to the gofundme fundraiser, click here.

The attached image was posted on the Isaac Avilucea Fund gofundme page.