A Future Free From MEN2A
My name is Christopher Turner, and for most of my life, cancer has been a constant companion.
I was born with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2A (MEN2A), a rare inherited genetic condition that dramatically increases the risk of developing multiple endocrine cancers. What many people don't realize is that MEN2A is not something you beat once and move on from. It is a lifelong battle that follows you every day.
Over the years, I have endured multiple cancer diagnoses, surgeries, treatments, and countless medical appointments. I have faced thyroid cancer, multiple parathyroid tumors, and adrenal tumors. Each diagnosis brought uncertainty, fear, and difficult decisions. Each surgery changed my life in ways that most people will never have to experience.
Today, I live without my thyroid, adrenal glands, and parathyroid glands because of the cancers and tumors caused by MEN2A. Managing my health is a daily responsibility that requires medication, monitoring, and constant awareness. Simple things that many people take for granted can become complicated when your body no longer functions the way it was designed to.
There have been times when the physical challenges felt overwhelming. There have been times when the emotional weight of living with a hereditary cancer syndrome felt even heavier. Yet through every setback, every surgery, every recovery, and every difficult conversation, I have continued moving forward.
The good news is that I am here.
I am alive.
I am healthy.
I am grateful.
My story is not one of defeat. It is one of resilience, determination, and hope.
Today, the challenge my wife Shannon and I face is not another surgery or another treatment. It is the dream of building a family.
Because MEN2A is an inherited genetic mutation, every child conceived naturally has a 50% chance of inheriting the same condition. That means there is a one-in-two chance that a child of mine could face the same cancer risks, surgeries, treatments, and lifelong medical challenges that I have endured.
After extensive discussions with medical professionals and genetic specialists, we have been advised that In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) with genetic testing is the safest option to help ensure we do not pass this mutation on to our future child. This process allows embryos to be screened so that a child can begin life free from the genetic burden of MEN2A.
Unfortunately, despite the medical necessity of preventing the transmission of a known hereditary cancer syndrome, our insurance provider does not cover IVF because Shannon and I do not meet their definition of infertility. We have been told that unless we are unable to conceive naturally, coverage will not be provided—even though our concern is not infertility, but preventing the transmission of a serious genetic condition.
As a result, we are facing a significant financial burden to pursue the path that doctors have recommended.
This fundraiser is not for my cancer treatment.
I have fought that battle.This fundraiser is not because I am sick today.
Thankfully, I am doing well.
This fundraiser is for the chance to give our future child something I never had: the opportunity to live a life free from MEN2A.
Shannon and I have always believed in giving back. I volunteer with a nonprofit in our community, and Shannon serves others every day as a nurse. We have both tried to give generously of our time, energy, and compassion without expecting anything in return. Asking for help does not come naturally to us, but this journey is one where we cannot do it alone.
Every contribution helps bring us closer to that goal. Whether you donate, share our story, or simply offer words of encouragement, you become part of a journey rooted in hope, love, and the dream of breaking the cycle of hereditary cancer for the next generation.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking the time to read our story and for supporting our family as we work toward creating a healthier future.
With gratitude,
Christopher & Shannon Turner
