Help Danny Overcome Cancer and Health Struggles

Let’s cut to the chase: our friend Danny Ortega’s colon cancer has relapsed. He is deteriorating slowly and painfully.

For those who don’t know, Danny is a Mexican-American social worker and drug counselor living in Merida, Yucatán. In 2019, Danny was diagnosed with ongoing diverticulitis and went through an emergency colectomy after two diverticula ruptured. This resulted in Danny wearing an ostomy bag for several months. Sadly, the complications with his colon reappeared in Summer 2022, leading to sepsis. By 2023, a mass had developed on the wall of his colon. It was Stage 1 colon cancer.

Ever the fighter, Danny underwent a successful surgery to remove the cancer last October. Despite his courageous spirit, Danny’s body is giving up, and his immune system is getting weaker the day. According to his doctors, the cancer has returned.

Danny’s symptoms include abdominal pain, severe anemia, extreme weight loss (45 lbs and counting), daily vomiting and rectal bleeding, and frequent fatigue and fainting. The cancer, along with the diverticulitis and sepsis, have made him so lethargic that he’s unable to move, work, or even properly eat.

The Mexican healthcare system is putting Danny at a significant disadvantage. The government hospitals denied him being admitted to the ER three times. He was even told he “looked too young to be going through all of that, take Tylenol and consult your PCP.” He then went to a private hospital where they were able to evaluate him and provide care, but the bill for a two night stay was $40k MXN ($2k USD). Due to the broken healthcare system in Mexico, a patient cannot be discharged until their bill is paid in full, or their stay is extended and they run up the bill. Danny’s grandmother was able to pay in the nick of time, but he can’t rely on her for the continuous care he will need.

Danny lives alone. He’s going to these doctor appointments alone. Every biopsy, test, lab, and admission he bravely faces alone. The depression and anxiety of doing this solo escalate the already dire symptoms. His parents live 13 hours away in Chiapas, Mexico, and sadly don’t have the finances to save him either.

If we donate and share this GoFundMe, we can raise $30k USD to get Danny back in a healthier state. The money will go to:

- Travel expenses for Danny’s mother

- Surgery

- Medical supplies

- Medication and recovery

- Transportation

Danny’s ambition, tenacious spirit, and unavoidable charisma have helped him survive many a battle, but he may have met his match with colon cancer this time around. Danny Ortega is a gentleman, a scholar, a fighter, and—most importantly—a friend. Please consider making a donation. He needs our help now more than ever.