John "Ricky" Mckenzie is currently battling terminal cancer and is unable to work any longer.  Ricky has a long history of service.  Ricky's service started with the US ARMY at the age of 18.  From 2005 to 2007 Ricky saw combat in Iraq he served in both the 113th Combat Stress Control, and as a Combat Medic with the 1st Infantry Division. After serving in Iraq Ricky went onto active reserve status and is currently serving with the 349th Combat Support Hospital.  Ricky chose to continue his service by becoming a Registered Nurse in 2011.  Ricky has worked as both an ER Nurse and a Hospital Supervisor. Right after completing Nursing School Ricky married Candy. In October 2014 Ricky was blessed with the birth of his twin boys Dustin and Jeremy.

In May 2017 Ricky was diagnosed with Pleomorphic Rhabdomyosarcoma in his right thigh.  The Cancer is very rare and almost never appears in adults as it is a pediatric cancer.  Ricky has undergone both chemo and radiation therapy multiple time and then had surgery to remove the tumor in his thigh.  Regretfully 6 months later on a follow up scan it was found that the cancer had metastasized to pancreas and lungs.   Different types of treatments were attempted but none were able to stop the progression of the cancer.  Per the Oncologist, due to the rarity of the cancer they had no definitive treatment plan to follow for this type of cancer.

Two Oncologists (one from the VA and one from UCLA) both said and wrote letters that the cancer was from his exposure to the carcinogens in the burn pit he was stationed next to in Iraq. Ricky tried to apply for a service connection illness with the army. The military stated that Since the cancer started 7 years after his time in Iraq it cannot be proved as a service connected illness.  Ricky and his wife hired an attorney to try and get the military to recognize the cancer as service related but have had no success so far.

It is with great regret that I have to say that we are coming close to the end of Ricky's story.  Ricky has at best 2 to 3 months left.  Currently he is unable to hold nutrition down, is on oxygen24 hours a day and on medication to control pain.

 Candy has taken a family leave to take care of Ricky. Financially Ricky and Candy are struggling.  Not only do they need to pay their bills, mortgage and all the other things that come with life and children, they also support Candy's parents as well.  Candy has refinanced her house, taken money out of her 401K, and used up all of their savings. 

Any thing you can give will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,

Ricky's friends

If anyone has any questions or would like to verify anything please reach out to :
Matt Titner [phone redacted]
Robert Ayala:3232466209