My name is Janice Best-Cowley and I am a member of the Royal Resorts/Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Royal Haciendas family. Sadly on Friday, March 6, 2026; our friend and resort employee, Chef Gilmer Canul was the innocent victim of gun violence near his home in Cancun. He sustained gun shot wounds to his neck and brain and was transported to hospital in critical condition. He remains on life support, requires additional surgery(s) and while a prognosis is not currently available we can communicate without a doubt that recovery will be long and difficult.

If you have celebrated a special event at the Haciendas, have food allergies or other dietary concerns, had special requests, or fussy eaters chances are you know Gilmer. One of his greatest joys is to bring joy to others through food.

Gilmer's family, wife Sairi Jasmin, sons Jesus Adair (17), Yader Tadro (13), Luis Mateo (10), are counting on your financial support to help them navigate the various costs and loss of income during this difficult time. He has support(s) through the Royal Resorts Foundation but much more needs to be done. I am working with hotel Management to distribute contributions as needed and although unlikely, should we receive more donations than are required for this cause, we will donate any excess to the Royal Resorts Foundation so they may continue to assist other employees in need in the future.

I thank you in advance for your help for a dear Royal Haciendas family member and a person I am blessed to call my friend.

Prayers are welcome and please feel free to share.