Rochester, NY
survivor of thyroid cancer
“All told, the time lost to cancer cost me more than 15 months of work time. It left me not only deflated financially while trying to live on the meager disability stipends, but frustrated that life was passing me by while I focused on just trying to get well.
The bills never stop coming, your landlord doesn’t “forget” about your rent and when you hear a friend of yours driving a brand new SUV bemoaning their 'economic crisis' you try not to audibly grumble. They truly just have no idea. A cancer diagnosis adds new meaning to "struggle" in these hard financial times. Two cancers, well you can do the math.
The SAMFund was a beacon of hope in the frustrating financials I had to contemplate. Six months of my car insurance was paid for, along with several copay reimbursements and four months of my student loan. This kind of gift allowed me to help stay afloat and try to focus more attention to the goals I have beyond just 'making ends meet'. It bolstered my ability to give back. This year I started a local young survivor support group and have started to book speaking engagements. I freelance write and am now being contracted to help create web content for the website Teenslivingwithcancer.org.
Giving back is how I pay forward all the good works that I benefitted from. You would be amazed at how helping one individual can have a ripple effect. The SAMFund is a miraculous program, not just for what it does financially but what it does on an inspirational level for so many bright and promising young survivors. I am so truly honored to be among them.”
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