Nik J Designs

Angel Mayor came to the U.S. from Venezuela under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and is now attending Madison College as a dedicated student studying Education/Special Education. He is a passionate volleyball coach with Madtown Volleyball (https://madtownvolleyball.com/club/aboutus), shaping young athletes and building community here in Madison

On September 1, 2025, Angel faces the looming threat of removal—forcing him to leave his studies, his coaching role, and his new home in Wisconsin. The cancellation of his TPS status would not only derail his dreams of becoming a special education teacher, but also disrupt the lives of countless students, athletes and families who depend on him. Angel will be continuing his asylum claim with the continued goal of achieving American Citizenship.

Thank you for standing with Angel, for education, for youth sports, and for the American promise of opportunity.

Go Fund Me 🔗 is in bio and here
https://gofund.me/775ec63b

The month of June is Cancer awareness month and today is National Cancer Survivors Day which I am proud to be a member of. Let’s celebrate and acknowledge this time by raising our voices about the importance of cancer research. Now is not the time to cut funding from the NIH and universities doing lifesaving research. Now is the time to continue to fight to find groundbreaking new treatments to save the lives of our loved ones.

One year ago I reluctantly went to the ED because Janis’ intuition (from years of being an incredible physician) said something is not right. He headed off to Nigeria and I to his Emergency Room. Feeling silly that I was going to the ED for some random bruises on my body I joked the entire time - that was until the staff came back in and said it looks like Leukemia! Well s**t!!

Worried about how I would tell Janis and my mom I first texted my bestie Emily and said “well f**k it looks like I have leukemia and I have literally binged every possible show there is to watch already” (or something close to that). Turns out I have approached the entirety (or close to it) of this process with humor. I haven’t really gotten angry and strangely I haven’t really cried. To the point where I have thought something might be wrong with me. But I’m not in denial and have my eyes wide open. Maybe it’s because all those around me have cried so much that I just need to balance things out.

Fast forward - It was infact AML, induction chemotherapy, no remission, second line chemo, remission, potentially Tālis as a stem cell donor but at the last minute some amazing young woman from Europe (who I still don’t know yet) was a better match, more chemo and radiation followed by a stem cell transplant in Aug/sept. My 6 month check up in March showed no residual disease. I don’t feel lucky (as one friend pointed out not to say) but I feel grateful.

To ALL those that came out to support me - with meals, gardening, visits, cards, gifts, money, gift cards to my kids, helping with my kids, helping with my husband, fun games at the hospital, wigs, countless care packages, prayers, thoughts, vibes, hugs and a million other small and large things that aren’t coming to me in this moment I THANK YOU ALL so very much. There are too many of you to name and that in itself is something I will be forever grateful for. Wait a second I think I’m actually crying now! 😳🥹

Here’s to the future. I have no idea what it holds -none of us really do. But by all means do not wait to enjoy life because life may throw you a curve ball.

The photo says it all!

Today is World Cancer Day - something I never thought I would have known if it were not for my own cancer diagnosis. So many friends and family have been touched by cancer - all with our own unique experiences and emotions but united by that dreadful day they heard the words “you have cancer.” We are in a challenging time and regardless of your political affiliation please let’s remember that our treatments and ultimately survival rely on funding and research.

Officially Day -6 of transplant and first day of killer chemo! Feeling grateful I get to do this part as an outpatient.

A new week and a new set of tests and appointments. Labs, lumbar puncture and bone marrow biopsy today - my favorites 😬. Also meeting with the bone marrow nurses and docs. Counting down the days!

Up for today - yummy contrast for not one but two ct/pet scans, labs, RN visit and possible transfusion as needed!!

Well here we go! The start of pre-transplant work up starts. Today we have visits with psychology, radiation oncology, echocardiogram and pulmonary!!! Bring it on!

Watching and getting some work done!

I had to watch my girl play at nationals from my living room. 😢 But I’m excited I get to pick her up from the airport today and give her a big hug and tell her how proud I am of how she played these last four days and this season.