“My loving, sensitive, generous, kind, and compassionate baby brother, Bill, is in the fight of his life. In August 2019, he was diagnosed with stage III esophageal adenocarcinoma (ECA). The average age of diagnosis for this awful disease is 67, almost twice the age he is now. In the days following this life-changing diagnosis, he was faced with conversations regarding treatment options and surgical procedures and tried to make sense of what his future would be like living with cancer. He remains determined in fighting and beating this deadly disease with a positive attitude and the best treatment available.
As his big sister, I insisted that my brother receive the best care possible. I was determined to be an advocate for him by researching the newest treatment options, seeking out a second and third opinion, and ensuring he had a voice in his care. I realized through this process that many cancer patients may not have an advocate and therefore have made it my mission to educate as many people as I can regarding the facts of esophageal cancer in order to raise awareness of this disease.