“Life can change in an instant.” we’ve all heard this phrase but these past two weeks my sister Edna, and her husband of 18 years Francisco “Pancho” Ponce have sadly experienced this first hand.

In April 2019, Edna had to take Pancho to the ER because he was experiencing back pain and after blood tests and x-rays he was diagnosed with kidney stones. Doctors told him they would be painful to pass but he did pass what he thought were kidney stones at the time, and all was well.

Then on Sunday October 20th, Edna had to rush Pancho back to the ER because he started feeling the same symptoms like he did back in April. He was admitted to the hospital for further testing and observation. While waiting on lab work and x-rays doctors consulted with a Urologist who ordered further testing.

On Monday morning October 21st, Doctors confirmed that there is a large mass on Pancho’s left kidney. A laparoscopic procedure was performed and a biopsy was taken. It was confirmed that Pancho has Stage 1 Renal Cell Carcinoma (Kidney Cancer) In addition they also saw that the mass was on his bladder lining.. Pancho is scheduled to have his left kidney removed on October 31st if not sooner, doctors have said while performing the surgery they will then determine the severity of the cancer and if it’s affected any of the surrounding tissue. At that time we will know if he will have to undergo chemo and radiation. In the meantime he is still in the hospital for observation.

To make matters worse On October 11th, after 15 years as a dedicated employee, Pancho was given the sad news by his employer CMC Metals that he would be laid off shortly due to the closure of the company. For the past 20 years that I have known my brother-in-law he’s always been a hard worker and amazing provider for his family even though he was worried about the life change they would experience after his layoff, he had a positive outlook on the situation.

As you can imagine this news has been devastating, what we do know is that he, Edna, and their children are in this together along with an army of family and friends by their side to win this battle!  

What I would like to ask from you.... Please consider helping someone who has given so much of himself throughout his life to his family, friends, and strangers.  While we can’t undo Pancho’s condition, we can try to help ease some of the financial burden as they figure out how to navigate their new normal. Any amount is appreciated and welcomed, even if that “amount” means sharing Pancho’s story. Both Edna and Pancho depend on their monthly income to pay their bills. With both of them off work for the last few days and for an unknown amount of time moving forward, this presents a very great need on top of the yet to be determined medical bills that will eventually present themselves. Anything you can contribute is greatly appreciated.