Hey everyone,
I want to get serious for a minute.
I have some dear friends going through a really tough time right now and they could use some support. I wanted to share their story here to see if maybe we could reach a few more people.
I know times are hard right now, so all I ask is that you read their story. If you are able to give, that’s great. If not, maybe just leave some support in the comments. They are wonderful people and I know even just that would mean the world to them.
On August 7th, 2025, Craig Balcer went in for his first colonoscopy. After he woke up, the doctor came in and told him he was 98% sure Craig had colorectal cancer. It was devastating news that changed their lives instantly.
What followed were months filled with appointments, procedures, CT scans, and MRIs as his care team worked to determine the best path forward. Craig began radiation therapy and chemo pills at the end of September 2025. He completed 30 sessions of radiation and took six chemo pills every day.
After a short break, he started chemo infusions in mid-December 2025, continuing through March 2026. In February, the tumor was no longer visible on CT or MRI scans, and we were all incredibly hopeful that the treatment was working.
Near the end of his infusion cycle, Craig had a severe allergic reaction that landed him in the hospital for four days. After finishing his final infusion, he had a three-month break to allow his body to recover. We truly believed we were finally moving forward.
Just when we thought we were moving forward, our family received heartbreaking news. In early June, Craig went through a week filled with appointments, scans, and procedures. He went into those appointments hoping for reassurance, but instead learned his cancer had returned.
On July 2, 2026, Craig underwent major surgery to remove the section of intestine containing the tumor, along with the surrounding blood vessels and lymph nodes. As part of the procedure, he received a temporary ileostomy. Thankfully, his surgeons were able to complete the planned operation, and he is now home recovering.
While we are so grateful the surgery was successful, the journey is far from over. Recovery from this surgery is physically and emotionally demanding. Craig is unable to work for several weeks while his body heals, and Beth also has to take time away from work to care for him, help him adjust to life with an ileostomy, attend follow-up appointments, and support him through every step.
If all goes according to plan, he will face another surgery in the coming months to reverse the ileostomy, beginning another recovery process.
As many of you know, cancer doesn’t just affect a person’s health – it impacts every part of life. The medical bills continue to grow, lost wages place additional strain on the family, and everyday expenses don’t stop while he focuses on healing.
We created this fundraiser because we could use your help. Every donation, no matter the amount, will go toward medical expenses, household bills, travel to appointments, and helping relieve some of the financial burden so Craig can focus on what matters most – recovering.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading and for any love you can share.
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