Help My Dad Fight Liver Cancer & Support His Journey

Help My Dad Fight Liver Cancer & Support His Journey

I write this with the biggest knot in my throat, so much confusion in my head, and so much pain in my heart. There’s no simpler way to say it—my dad has stage 2 liver cancer. It’s been four months since we found out, and it’s been devastating to see him go through this. What hurts me the most is not being in a place financially where I can say:

“Here, Dad. Live your life without worry. Focus on your health. Enjoy your days without thinking about how you’re going to pay for treatment, medicine, or even basic expenses.”

My Dad’s Story

Imagine leaving behind your home country and culture in search of better opportunities—working labor-intensive jobs for over 30 years, only to barely scrape by in retirement. Now, imagine facing cancer on top of it.

My dad, Bayardo, spent years as a cook—the silliest, most lighthearted cook you’d ever meet. Even after retiring, he took on construction gigs just to make ends meet. He’s always been a provider, the kind of person who keeps going no matter what. But cancer doesn’t care about how hard you’ve worked, and the reality is, treatment isn’t cheap.

Despite everything, he’s still thinking about how he can provide for himself. His latest idea? He wants to buy a popsicle-making machine and an ice machine so he can sell paletas and ice when he’s back in Nicaragua—because, trust me, it’s HOT out there! Whether you’d like to contribute to making that possible or simply help with his medical needs, I know he’ll be beyond grateful. And with his birthday coming up on January 27th, even the smallest contributions would make an incredible gift.

How You Can Help

This is me reaching out and asking for help—from anyone who can and feels called to. It’s hard for me to ask, but I know it would be wrong to deprive him of the support that could make his life a little easier. Your contribution will help provide:

Every dollar makes a difference. And if you’re unable to contribute financially, simply sharing this with others could go a long way in giving him the peace of mind he deserves.

Who My Dad Is Beyond Cancer

If you know my dad, you know he’s so much more than this diagnosis. Despite having only a second-grade education in Nicaragua, he has an endless thirst for knowledge. He taught himself everything he knows—whether it’s the healing properties of plants, lucid dreaming, or astral projection. He loves to learn, and he loves to share what he’s learned with others.

His stories from his youth are captivating, his jokes always land with the perfect punchline, and his presence fills any room with warmth. He’s been the most supportive father, always showing up for me—whether it was cheering me on at my high school soccer games with his signature loud bird whistle and a cold Gatorade waiting for me, picking me up from late-night parties to make sure I was safe, or surprising me with a spontaneous “dentist” appointment that turned into a trip to Six Flags on a random Thursday.

Through everything, he always reminded me to take care of my mental health and to find balance. Watching him face this battle is heartbreaking, and knowing the financial burden makes it even harder is something I struggle with every day.

A Heartfelt Thank You

If you’ve read this far, thank you for taking the time to hear my dad’s story. If you’re able to contribute, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. And if you can’t donate, I completely understand—just sharing this fundraiser could help us reach someone who can.

At the very least, I hope this is a reminder to cherish your parents while they’re here. Encourage them to go to their check-ups. Hug them a little tighter today. Watching our parents age is NOT easy.

Thank you for your kindness, your support, and for being part of my dad’s fight.