The past twelve months have been more than turbulent for my family due to a string of unfortunate and unexpected diagnoses.

Following a routine colonoscopy and biopsy, the doctors alerted us in March of this year that my father had colon cancer and it was necessary to remove his entire colon. This major surgery presented uncertainty and significant trepidation. The surgery itself was successful but due to some setbacks he was kept in the hospital longer than anticipated.

The removal of his colon will force him to adjust many aspects of his lifestyle, including becoming accustomed to having an ostomy bag which could be temporary or permanent. This change will also limit his ability to work over the next year. Though we are extremely thankful he is back home, we acknowledge further surgeries may be needed in the future to address common complications.

This colon cancer surgery occurred shortly after a separate, recent battle with cancer. In May of 2024, my father was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Doctors monitored and kept an eye on it until December, when the malignant tumor was removed. Several complications arose with this surgery prolonging his hospital stay. Once home he experienced significant pain and fatigue which left him completely drained. It took him over three months to resume daily activities at which point he slowly began feeling like himself.

During these last two years other external factors have compounded the stress associated with the fear that comes with not only one but two separate cancer diagnoses. Unfortunately, my mother was laid off and consequently my parents lost their medical and prescription insurance. Following the advice from their doctors, they put certain treatments on pause and opted to receive only the most essential care. In the lead up to both surgeries, my father had between five to ten medical appointments per month. As a result, my parents were forced to incur debt due to high out-of-pocket costs. We later discovered the kidney cancer advanced during this gap in coverage.

While the past year has been unimaginably treacherous, the lead up to various health issues unfolded over a much longer period. Twenty-eight years ago, my father was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the large intestine. He has silently battled this disease for most of his adult life. To manage the condition, different medications were recommended and prescribed by doctors, yet nothing proved to have long term effectiveness. The extensive use of these medications caused his bones to become weak and brittle. Additionally, they accelerated the deterioration of his body and resulted in the collapse of his T9 vertebrae. He has consulted various specialists and they all agreed that in order to correct this fracture he will need to undergo a major spine surgery in the near future.

My dad is easily one of my best friends and the most likable person in our family due to his charismatic personality, intelligence, positive outlook, and humor. First and foremost, he is a man of faith who holds God close to this heart. His faith, along with his close-knit family, has allowed him to persevere through this difficult period.

As a passionate chef you will always find him in the kitchen experimenting with new ingredients and unique recipes. An avid reader of poetry and Spanish literature, he is quick to recite classic poems at a moment’s notice. A lover of all things related to history, you can find him immersed in non-fiction books, ranging from autobiographies to revolutions and everything in between. One of his nearest and dearest interests has always been the outdoors and his garden is a testament to this hobby. He considers his garden to be a sacred place and tends to his plants, including his prized fig tree, to the best of his abilities.

Of the many hats he wears, being a dad is a role he cherishes. From an early age he taught my brother and I to make the most out of life, regardless of how bad a situation may be. His positive outlook has allowed us to see that despite the struggle we have endured, there is hope for my father’s future.

This year has tested my family’s fortitude in more ways than I can count and while our immediate circle has been extremely supportive, we have felt the drain on an emotional and financial level. Considering we have exhausted our own resources, we made the decision to solicit help from our extended network of loved ones, friends, and acquaintances that have inquired about my father’s health.

Many of you have asked if we need anything, this is how you can help.

Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference.

Additionally, we would appreciate you sharing my father’s story with your networks to help us reach our goal.

Cancer has an awful way of isolating patients – we know the pain and fear can at times strip them of their hope and diminish the light in their eyes. In addition to physical ailments this has impacted my father’s psyche and has had negative effects on his mental health.

The proceeds of this fundraiser will give my father some peace of mind and serve to remind him that he is not alone in this battle.

As head of the family, it has pained us to see my father in such precarious health situations. He is the centerpiece that holds us together and I cannot imagine our lives without him. The love we have for my father reflects the love he has shown us tenfold, and we simply want him to get better.

We are grateful for your support in our time of need. Thank you in advance for your time, generosity, and well wishes.

If you are not able to donate financially, we ask that you please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as my father continues to traverse the daunting future that lies ahead.

May God bless each and every one of you.