Hello everyone:

We are doing this fundraiser to help my nephew Freddy Gómez Torres, who has been undergoing treatment for Multiple Myeloma cancer for more than three years. Freddy traveled to New York 4 years ago, searching for job opportunities. Initially, he received training and worked in construction for a year. Unfortunately, he could not continue developing his work due to severe pain in his back and legs. Due to this pain, he was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center Hospital, and after various tests and examinations, he was diagnosed with this cancer. Since 2019 he has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. Freddy lost mobility in his legs, and since that time, he has had continuous and various therapies, but without achieving positive results. A few weeks ago, the situation was aggravated when he suffered a relapse again.

During these last months, Freddy was hospitalized in the United States (10 months without going home and without work). He doesn’t have more resources to support himself, his drug expenses and the equipment he requires, and help his Mom, who has been there for a year. The situation for both is unsustainable. The only thing left is hope and faith in God so that Freddy can walk again.

I never imagined that I would need to request financial support from other people. But also never imagined that my nephew, a young with a desire to work and help his mom and kids, had this cancer and would be in a hospital bed for a long time. We tend to think that this type of situation will not happen to us, that it only happens to others. But life shows us that no one is oblivious to a case of precariousness, illness, or death. That is why we appreciate the generosity and solidarity you may have with my nephew to help him. We, as a family, will continue to support him with the hope that God will help him and give him the necessary strength so that Freddy can beat this cancer.

Thanks! For meeting my nephew, who, with hope, perseverance and tenacity, wakes up every day with the dream of walking again. Thanks for helping Freddy! Your generosity will help ease his financial distress!

His story:

Freddy is a 45-year-old man, Colombian, the father of two beautiful children: Camila and Nicolas. Freddy obtained two bachelor’s degrees in “Hospitality and Tourism” and “Psychology”. He has lived and shared most of his life with his mother, Alicia. They have supported each other at all times.

In 2015, Freddy lost his job, and, despite his insistence and effort in sending his resume, he was unable to find a job that would generate stability and peace of mind. Due to this situation, Freddy decided to travel to the United States, hoping to have a job and help her mother and children.

He traveled to New York in 2018. A close friend initially helped him by providing a room and then helped Freddy get a job in construction. With his hard work and determination, Freddy was able to work and settle in the US and start financially helping his mother and his two children.

Everything was going well for Freddy until he started with severe pain in his back and legs one day. At first, he thought it was normal pain due to work until his legs no longer responded, and he was taken to the hospital. Doctors examined him and did tests and exams, giving him a final diagnosis of multiple myeloma cancer.

In this first event in March 2019, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were performed to eradicate the first tumor with excellent results. After two years of treatment, when everyone believed Freddy had overcome the disease, he relapsed in February 2021. Three operations had to be performed because the new tumors were generated in the spinal cord and produced nerve compression. Freddy again lost mobility in his legs.

All the surgeries took place at the Weill Cornell Medical Center hospital in New York from March to October 2021. After surgeries, a stem cell transplant treatment was done to eradicate the malignant cells and start over with healthy cells to restore the immune system. Additionally, Freddy received physical therapy to strengthen the muscles of his legs. After his operations and his continuous treatments, it was hoped that Freddy would be able to walk again.

On March 1, 2022, it was discovered through an MRI that the tumor tissue was growing again. The tumor has not compromised the marrow and hasn't required surgery yet. The current situation is being treated with a change in chemotherapy medication and radiotherapy in the cervical and mid-back area.

Due to the immobilization of her legs in 2021, my sister Alicia traveled to New York with a tourist visa thanks to funds collected by a foundation in the United States and other money collected here in Colombia. Alicia wanted to be close to her son, be by her side, and motivate him to fight to overcome this severe illness.

She has been in the United States for a year staying in Freddy’s room. Freddy is currently hospitalized. They don’t have any more resources to pay rent or buy drug expenses and equipment Freddy requires. The situation is more complex every day... but the love for her son drives her to continue fighting by her side. Life has changed radically for them. However, they have faith that Freddy can beat this cancer and, with God's Blessing, can walk again.