Many of you know that my brother-in-law, Phil Gutierrez, had been battling a progressive and incurable form of brain cancer for the past several years. He passed away on Tuesday, March 14th at the age of 44.

Phil's tumor had become extremely aggressive in the last few months of his life. He had already exhausted all of his treatment options after 3 neurosurgeries, 3 rounds of chemotherapy and 2 rounds of radiation.

Phil chose to begin hospice care in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family. My sister Mary, Phil's wife, had taken an unpaid leave of absence from her job as a Special Ed teacher to care for him in his final days. Unfortunately, her leave from work will cause financial hardship in an already emotionally (and physically) trying time for their family.

Any funds in support of the family will help with funeral expenses, medical bills, groceries, mortgage payments, utility bills...all the things Mary will be responsible for as a widowed, single Mom.