Friend, that's my mom.

She was a single parent and a public school teacher. She worked day in, day out – sometimes two jobs at a time – to ensure I could seize every opportunity.

Nothing could have prepared me for when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. I'll never forget the fear that washed over me that day, or seeing her go through a mastectomy and endure lengthy treatments that left her frail and exhausted.

Cancer doesn’t just affect the patient. It rocks the whole family. And for too many, it can mean financial devastation, on top of the physical suffering and heartbreak.

For us, Medicare made the difference.

Without it, my mom couldn’t have afforded the treatment that saved her life. The treatment that gave me what I wanted more than anything – more time. More birthdays, more conversations, more hugs, more memories. 

This experience shaped who I am today. It's why I've always fought to protect Medicare, defend coverage for preexisting conditions, and take on drug companies that put profit margins over people's lives. People like my mom. 

And in the richest country in the history of the world, no American should ever be forced to choose between lifesaving treatments and bankruptcy. 

But Senate Republicans in Washington like my opponent, John Cornyn, disagree. That's why he voted to gut health care funding to pay for tax cuts for his wealthy mega donors. It's heartless, it's unnecessary, and it's a betrayal to the voters who elected him to represent them. 

For me, health care isn’t abstract policy. It’s personal. 

And it’s one of the reasons I’m running for the Senate: To make sure every Texan has the peace of mind that if illness should strike, you'll get the care you need to survive – not drown in a stack of bills you can't afford. 

If you agree that we need to put health care funding ahead of tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, then I ask you to please make a grassroots donation of $5, or anything you can spare today, to my Senate campaign. This is the change we desperately need and deserve – but I can't win in a race this expensive and competitive without your support, friend.

Let's do this. Thank you for everything,

Colin