Rick Jenkins is a beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, grandpa, nephew, cousin, friend and faithful pastor to many at Calvary Chapel in Nipomo, CA.

On Friday, October 16th, Rick was diagnosed with Primary Adenocarcinoma of the Seminal Vesicle, a rare cancer with less than a hundred known cases recorded in literature. The unusual characteristics of the disease makes diagnosis difficult and treatment strategies differ as there are no specific guidelines available. The one thing they do know, is that early diagnosis is key for treating this type of cancer, and unfortunately, although Rick experienced symptoms for three years, the doctors early on failed to diagnose him properly. The family is devastated but still very hopeful. And thankfully, due to its rarity, he is now finally getting amazing care at UCLA as teams of doctors have their eyes closely on his case. Three weeks ago the doctors said that his specific cancer was inoperable. So last week he started chemo and radiation to aggressively attack the cancer in hopes of decreasing the size and spread, so that they could possibly operate in a few months. 

With daily radiation appointments and chemo once every few weeks, Rick and Tina are staying down in LA for long periods of time in hotels near the hospital to make the situation as convenient as possible. They have been given so much love in the form of prayer, words of kindness, gifts and even some financial support to help them stay in hotels during this time. They are beyond grateful. But as with any prolonged medical stay, the medical bills are going to grow, and the need for financial assistance for the unseen, the unexpected, and the inevitable will quickly get very, very real.

Rick and Tina have devoted their lives to serving others. All who know them would attest to it, and if you know them, you know the last thing they want is to ask for money. So when we told them we were starting this GoFundMe it took some convincing, and they insisted on emphasizing they have felt encouraged by everyone’s prayers, have felt miraculously sustained by God, and have been overwhelmed with the love they have received from everyone. They literally feel they couldn’t ask for more.

Be that as it may, many have asked the family how they can help, and thankfully this is a way for people who love Rick and Tina to show their love, even if from afar. 

So please donate if you feel led. 

To be quite honest, we don’t know what the financial situation will look like in the near future, and being that it is so early in the journey, we have set the goal to $8,000, but it could be drastically more, drastically less, or right on the money. We just don’t know. So please understand if the goal raises, it is most likely because the needs have raised.

Thank you.
-The Jenkins Family, and extended family