MIDDLETOWN - A local family held a fundraiser Saturday, March 7 for a 21-year-old city resident who has been undergoing treatment for stage four brain cancer since 2013.
Anthony Freeman was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a stage IV brain tumor, in Nov. 2013, and since then, has had two brain surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy.
"They are trying to different things on him. Some seemed okay, some have done a number to him," said Heather Dawes, Freeman's mother.
A fundraiser held at the AME Zion Church on Saturday night was organized by Freeman's girlfriend, Christina Steinberg. Money raised will help pay for medical bills, travel and family expenses related to Freeman's illness.
"A lot of people would have given up by now, but he just hasn't," Steinberg said.
Anthony Freeman, 21 and a graduate of Middletown High School, was once a multi-sport athlete, but currently is far removed from his playing days, facing a much tougher opponent: cancer.
"There are some days I literally can't get out of bed. I'm so tired, I have no energy," Freeman said.
Immediately following his glioblastoma diagnosis, Anthony had surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible (about 70%), endured 6 weeks of radiation, and has been on many forms of chemotherapy ever since.
Freeman needs to stay on chemotherapy, but can't right now, because his heart rate is too high.
"There's days that I'm not happy, there are days I am ready to give up," Freeman said.
Freeman keeps fighting, by keeping a positive attitude and a smile on his face. His long-time girlfriend of more than three years, Christina Steinberg, constantly takes care of him..
"She tends to make me smile when I have no reason to," Freeman said.
Freeman is surrounded by a large support system of family and friends, dubbed "Freeman's Fighters"
"No matter what comes his way, no matter what bad news we get. He's just like I got this, and I'm gonna keep going," said Steinberg.
The 21 year-old is determined to fight and says he's already outlived the prognosis for his cancer by several months.
He hopes to find a cure for glioblastoma.
"I fight because I want to see my future, I want to see what happens. I want to see myself beat us, eventhough most people don't," Freeman said.
For more information about the fundraiser or Freeman's battle with cancer, click here.