Expect Miracles Foundation hosted its largest Atlantic Coast Classic yet, bringing together nearly 400 supporters for a record-breaking day of golf, generosity, and community. With on-site contributions up 17% and the largest Golf Clinic to date, the event continued EMF’s incredible momentum in the fight against cancer.
FOUNDATION SPONSOR
Josh S.
Dreams and Disruptions
Josh S. embarked on a journey across the world at the age of 18, traveling from New Zealand to the United States. Receiving a green card opened the door for him to study film in New York City, where he quickly found his niche as a freelance film technician.
In early 2023, life threw Josh a curveball. It started with what he thought was a persistent sinus infection, followed by bloody noses and facial swelling. Doctors gave him cold medication and didn’t seem concerned, so Josh never imagined it could be anything serious.
Everything changed when Josh became too ill to continue working working. He was immediately brought to the emergency room where doctors discovered a 10 cm mass in his chest. Josh was connected with Dr. David Wise at NYU who created an in-depth treatment plan and ultimately diagnosed him with Stage III Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumor of the Non-Seminoma Yolk Sac variety at just 24 years old. Josh’s medical team, recognizing the urgency, immediately scheduled a five-day-a-week, three-drug chemotherapy.
The whirlwind that followed was something out of a nightmare. I only had a week to process the diagnosis before starting chemotherapy and figuring out how I was going to pay for my life-saving treatment.
A Grueling Battle
Months of intensive treatment shrank the tumor by 50%, but it was only the beginning. In November, Josh underwent an extensive surgery to remove what remained of the mass, and the 12-inch scar on his chest became a permanent reminder of the battle he fought. Despite this physical victory, the financial battle had just begun. Living paycheck to paycheck before his diagnosis in his early 20s, Josh and his partner, Sinclair, quickly depleted their savings, combining their lives and finances out of necessity. Forced to leave their apartments and quit their jobs, they moved their belongings into storage, and stayed with Sinclair’s sister, Hannah, several hours outside New York City. All three chemotherapy drugs also carried high risks, including potential impacts on fertility, leading Josh and Sinclair to scramble to find a fertility clinic for urgent fertility preservation before beginning treatment, incurring yet another financial hit they could barely afford. Alongside the physical toll of treatment, Josh also faced mental health struggles, requiring therapy that added to their mounting expenses.
Throughout this ordeal, my relationship with Sinclair saved me, and we relied on each other completely. As my family lives in New Zealand, I wouldn’t have made it through without my partner and her family. Their love and unwavering support were my anchors during the darkest times.
Hope from the SAMFund
In the midst of financial hardship, Josh discovered Expect Miracles Foundation’s (EMF’s) SAMFund, which became a beacon of hope. Sinclair discovered the SAMFund grant through an online search, and Josh applied. When he learned he had been awarded a SAMFund grant of almost $3,100, Josh experienced a profound sense of relief, feeling as though someone was finally looking out for him. EMF’s SAMFund Grant was a miracle, giving Josh and Sinclair a much needed financial break. The grant helped cover essential expenses, allowing Josh to focus on his recovery and giving him the chance to start rebuilding financially.
EMF’s support through its SAMFund grant program is uniquely crucial for young cancer survivors like me. People often associate cancer with older adults, but I needed help at this exact moment, and EMF showed up. I think about what a miracle the grant was for my partner and me every day.
Rebuilding and Moving Forward
Now in remission, Josh is back at work, determined to reclaim his professional life and focus on passion projects. Inspired by his own journey and newfound resilience, Josh and Sinclair hope to create a documentary in Colorado in the future. During a road trip around the time of his diagnosis, Josh felt an immediate connection to the area and returned again while recovering from chemotherapy. Josh saw many parallels between the rugged landscapes and his own battle with cancer.
Our journey isn’t just about cancer anymore, it’s about finding new stories to tell and creating a life we’re passionate about. Creating this documentary has been a goal of ours since my diagnosis, and represents a new chapter of hope and resilience.
Josh’s story transcends his personal struggles with cancer, celebrating resilience, recovery, and a shared vision for a brighter future. From New Zealand to New York, and soon to the mountains of Colorado, Josh thanks Expect Miracles Foundation’s SAMFund grant program for helping him continue his journey and do what he loves.
Many of the photos were taken by Sinclair Neff.
About EMF’s SAMFund Grant Program
Due to the high costs associated with treatment and survivorship, young adults experience financial toxicity at a greater level than any other age group. SAMFund grants help to alleviate the financial burden resulting from cancer treatment. Thank you to donors for supporting EMF’s SAMFund Grant Program. Because of your generosity, we are helping young adult cancer survivors build bridges to help them get where they were intended to go before cancer disrupted their lives.
What SAMFund Grant Recipients Say
Make Miracles
Join us in the fight against cancer and be part of the community that is making miracles happen today. Your donation is an investment in our Research and Discovery Funds, which invests in life-saving cancer research, and EMF’s SAMFund, which provides financial assistance for young adult cancer survivors.
Get Involved
Every dollar we raise brings us closer to a world free from the grip of cancer. But we can’t do it alone. Join us in this life saving journey. No matter who you are, where you come from, you have a place at Expect Miracles Foundation. Cancer knows no boundaries, and neither does our mission. Stand alongside us in the fight against cancer.
Make Miracles
Join us in the fight against cancer and be part of the community that is making miracles happen today. Your donation is an investment in our Innovation and Discovery Funds, which invests in life-saving cancer research, and EMF’s SAMFund, which provides financial assistance for young adult cancer survivors.
Invest in Hope
Corporate sponsors lead our life-saving mission and gain access to influential business networking opportunities at EMF events, which range from galas to golf tournaments and more. As a sponsor you can cultivate relationships in the financial services industry while having a life-changing impact on the cancer community.