Help Kenny Germann Fight Stage 3 Esophageal Cancer

My best friend, Kennny Germann, is going through some difficult years – he needs our help.

Following five heart attacks, the death of his mother, losing his sister to cancer, and fighting foreclosure, Kenny was diagnosed with cancer on April 25, 2025.

Hi, I'm Laura and I am running this Go Fund Me for my friend Kenny Germann. Kenny was diagnosed with Stage 3 esophageal cancer in April of 2025. He has been driving two and a half hours, each way, to see doctors in San Antonio so that he can fight this cancer. The medical bills and other expenses are already piling up. Kenny is worrying about keeping a roof over his head when he needs to be focused on fighting, or worse, worrying over not having the money to get to San Antonio, so I'm starting this Go Fund Me for him, with his permission.

The Long Story

If you've met Kenny, in person or online, you probably know he's a wee bit stubborn and seriously independent. Put those things together and you are called resilient; which is a good thing in this case. Kenny started out his major medical history with his first heart attack, a quadruple bypass, at the age of 35. He's since had five more heart attacks between the ages of 35 and 50.

The cardiologists have told Kenny that his heart isn't strong enough for any more heart surgeries, so they are managing his symptoms with medication. The medication is working as it is meant to but after years of heart attacks Kenny's heart is pumping at about 60% of it's normal capacity.

Fast forward several years and Kenny achieved his dream of owning his own home. Here in Corpus Christi he provided a fenced back yard for his two boxers (Mazzy and Ziggy) to play and bask in the sun. He also put his mother's green thumb to work and built a colorful garden that causes passers by to take a moment out of their busy day and admire the beauty. Kenny's goal in moving was to reduce his stress and take better care of his health.

Unfortunately, as the economy worsened Kenny found his home at risk. He struggled for three years and just finished solving a foreclosure on his home. He had built a plan to put his finances to rights when he noticed some inflammation in his chest that wasn't like his normal heart problems. Along with that came pain in his back, worsening acid reflux, and difficulty swallowing. Endoscopy and an appointment with the only gastroenterologist in Corpus Christi can take 10 months, so we headed off to San Antonio.

Kenny's endoscopy showed he had something called Barret's Esophagus. Biopsies were taken and in April Kenny received the call we all dread. It's cancer. Since then there has been a whirlwind of tests, procedures, meetings with surgeons, meetings with oncologists, and port insertion surgery. All in San Antonio. Two and a half hours away. Each requiring a day off work just to go to the appointment, no matter how long or short.

On June 9th Kenny will be starting chemotherapy. He will receive treatment in San Antonio every two weeks for four sessions, then have surgery to remove 60% of his esophagus and the affected lymph nodes, then four more sessions of chemotherapy.

This will be a difficult road but the cardiothoracic surgeon believes Kenny's heart can stand the surgery. The oncologist is confident her plan will shrink the tumor and, with surgery, prevent recurrence. And Kenny, well you all know Kenny. He's a fighter and lives by his motto “Smile in the face of adversity”

One way Kenny (Mr. Independent) is smiling in the face of adversity is by being brave and acknowledging that he needs all of you to help him win this fight. The expenses and medical bills are already piling up. Please consider giving what you can. If not, please share this among your friends with a little note about how you know Kenny. It would mean the world.

How will this money be used?

Who am I?

My name is Laura Dominguez Griffin. I've known Kenny for nine years now. Simply put, Kenny is my friend. Chosen family. Like another brother to me. Our dogs are best buddies. Our cats are named Taylor and Kelce, lol.

I was a library circulation staffer for years and computer support tech before that. I am disabled and unable to help in more significant ways. So I look for ways I can help, like organizing this fundraiser. For transparency sake, I am doing this solely for Kenny. I will receive no money from this Go Fund Me.

Thank you,

Laura