UPDATE ON PITO SANCHEZ  AND HIS KIDNEY DISEASE

I wanted to give you an update on my dear friend Pito Sanchez to whom you so generously donated seven months ago.

As I post this, Pito will be recovering from his unexpected surgery a little over two weeks ago to remove one of his kidneys where
doctors just found cancer. This means no work for the foreseeable future, as Pito must rest up for his kidney transplant which they have had to  postpone until April or May 2020 because of the newly discovered cancer.

Pito's dialysis sessions are extremely hard physically and emotionally and are the most difficult part of his life because they are three
times a week, with each session 4 hours long. Pito has been doing dialysis for 6 years now and he is exhausted all the time from the
beating his body has had to take. He will have to continue dialysis after his cancer surgery until his transplant.

After his transplant, hopefully in April, Pito will not be fully recovered enough to work for at least another 6 months to a year. That
means any employment, if his recovery goes well, is at the very least  9 months away.

The remarkable thing about Pito is his positive attitude which helps him remain hopeful -- with never any self-pity, but always thinking of others before himself. As you can imagine,  this is not an easy thing to do,  given all his debilitating medical problems and resulting
financial issues.

I so want to help Pito get through this very difficult chapter in his life and that's why I am asking you to join me by donating to the fund
I have set up on his behalf.  No amount of money is too small – all donations will be hugely, hugely, helpful!!

Based on an estimated year of unemployment, the total comes to, conservatively, $30,000.
Pito needs $2,000 a month to pay for rent, food, utilities. In addition, he has major medical bills, (such as high co-pays) not covered by his insurance. Pito has no other source of income other than what he can make himself, which is not possible because of all his debilitating
health issues.

Hope you will join me in helping my good friend Pito – thanking you so very, very much, in advance!!