Hi, my name is Claudia.

It’s hard to believe how much life can change in just 30 days.

On March 9th, my younger brother Carlos was involved in a car accident. A young woman ran a red light and t-boned him. He went to the hospital thinking he was just getting checked after the crash—but that visit changed everything.

During his evaluation, doctors found a mass on his right kidney and a spot on his skull. They immediately became concerned about the possibility of renal cell carcinoma.

What followed was a whirlwind.

By Wednesday, he was in for blood work. By Friday, he had a CT scan—and within an hour, doctors were urgently calling him back. His lung was partially collapsed, and he needed to get to the emergency room immediately.

The next few weeks were filled with MRIs, CT scans, more bloodwork, and doctor visits as they tried to clear him for kidney surgery. At the time, we were holding onto hope that this would be straightforward—that removing the kidney would fix everything, and we could move forward.

But this past Monday changed that.

After a brain scan, we learned that there are not one, but two lesions near his brain. In that moment, everything shifted.

Carlos has now been diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

What we thought would be a simple fix has turned into the fight of our lives.

Right now, doctors believe the masses have not penetrated the brain itself and are treating him with curative intent. Our next steps include a PET scan and a kidney biopsy at St. Luke’s in the Houston Medical Center, followed by immunotherapy.

Yes, it’s Stage IV—but we are holding onto hope. His doctors see a possibility, and so do we.

If you know Carlos, you know why we believe in him.

He is one of the most selfless people I know. For over 11 years, he has worked in a senior living facility, caring for elderly residents with compassion and dignity. He doesn’t just do his job—he shows up for people when they need it most.

Every Christmas, without ever asking for recognition, he would quietly collect items and give them to those in need. Not for attention, not for praise—but because he believes in doing good and wanted to set an example for his daughter.

He is a devoted father to my 13-year-old niece. She is his world.

Now, he needs help.

The medical expenses, constant testing, treatments, and missed work have created a heavy financial burden. We are doing everything we can to move quickly and give him the best possible chance to fight this.

If you are able, please consider helping our family—whether through a donation or simply by sharing this message.

Every bit of support matters more than we can express.

Please help us give Carlos the chance to keep fighting.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.