Daniel Parejo and Family Cancer Fundraiser

Hey all, my name is Leah and I’m starting this GoFundMe for my brother in law Daniel who is fighting cancer.

They say that life happens when you’re busy making plans and that’s exactly what has happened here. Daniel and my sister Becca were excitedly planning for the future: a family, careers, renovating their home, future travel (he hasn’t had an opportunity to leave the country). When a routine cancer check up derailed everything that they had hoped for.

Daniel was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in 2020 while receiving treatment for Basal Cell Carcinoma (talk about bad luck). Fortunately at that time doctors told him that the prognosis was great. He underwent a total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection as well as radioactive iodine treatment.

At a routine check up in the summer of 2023 he received the terrible news that his cancer had returned. They remained positive, he underwent a bilateral neck dissection and was ready to go for another round of radioactive iodine. This time the radioactive iodine did not work and the cancer was deemed Radioactive Iodine Refractory or RAI-R. He was also informed that his cancer had metastasized to his upper chest area.

After further testing it turns out that his cancer has a BRAF mutation and is now deemed aggressive. He now has to undergo another major surgery and will be put on chemo medications for the next three months. These medications can cause a whole host of crappy side effects and are hard on the body.

As a result of cancer Daniel will be unable to work for the foreseeable future and my sister Rebecca is now the sole income provider. Without treatment he was told that he would have 4-5 years to live. Even with insurance they have at this point amassed $25000 in medical bills that will only continue to rise. He also has frequent appointments with various doctors and staff on his medical care team.

Daniel is only 36 and when he met my sister Becca they both knew instantly that they had met their person. They love each other dearly and while they were told that there is no cure for his cancer, we want to give him the best fighting chance. Daniel is funny, generous, loyal and an all around amazing husband, family member and friend. Daniel is truly a fighter and has been incredibly resilient throughout this process. He isn’t one to share his struggles or ask for help but if ever there was a time it’s now.

The road ahead won’t be an easy one so thank you for any and all consideration. Any funds donated will go towards medical expenses and to help with household bills. The hope is to allow them to focus on his health while alleviating some of the financial burden that has taken its toll.

We are so thankful for any and all support during this difficult time emotional and otherwise.