I’m speechless. I set a monetary goal expecting to reach maybe half of it. It hasn’t even been a week since I posted the Go Fund Me and I’ve reached my goal. I spent half of Tuesday night in tears because I was so overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support. Friends from childhood, high school, college, and adulthood. Friends of friends. Family members. Family friends. Friends of family members. The number of donations and messages I receive continues to bring tears to my eyes. I never thought in my wildest dreams that so many people would respond on the first night.
I have always been somewhat nervous about sharing my hardship for two reasons. First, I think because we live in a society where you’re expected to put your best face forward, especially with social media, we all seem hesitant to share our adversities. Fool the world that you’re doing wonderfully and that your life is practically a vacation. Sharing my struggles and health journey strips me of the facade that I’m completely “normal” and that everything is fine. It’s always felt like a risk. Second, the more people I have rooting for me, the more I desperately want things to go well. It’s an added pressure that I put on myself which I should probably work on. You forget that people truly want to help. That sharing the bad is what connects us and makes us stronger. The people you surround yourself with are everything.
With so many problems going on in the world, I still can’t believe that so many of you took the time to read my story and donate so generously. It absolutely takes away the stress of questioning whether I can do this financially. And the messages of encouragement and support lift me up in an extraordinary way. Years ago a fellow lung cancer survivor said they typically only cried when overwhelmed by people’s support and generosity. (I think it was you, EmBen.) This week absolutely proved that to be true.
Thank you for making such an impact on my journey. Cancer can be just a little stressful but because of all of you, I don’t feel financially stressed. It’s hard to express just how much that means to me. I couldn’t do this without your support. Love you all.
I received confirmation that I’ll need to be in Tampa from January 1st until February 16th. You guys have truly made this trial possible. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Love,
Koko/ Cor/ Corndawg/ Corefore/ Corey
https://www.gofundme.com/f/my-clinical-trial-at-moffitt
Thanks to Tim & Photoshop, I now know how to paint watercolor.
