Today, on James’ birthday, we’re posting this GoFundMe with heavy hearts and urgent hope...

My name is Ralph Marino, and I’m creating this fundraiser for my sister, Patricia, and her fiancé, James Patrick Lynn. They are facing the most terrifying and unexpected crisis of their lives, and we are asking for any support possible during this nightmare. James is not just my sister’s partner, he is deeply loved by our entire family. And right now, he is fighting for his life.

James’ Story

James, born December 2, 1986, grew up in Brooklyn before spending most of his life on Staten Island. He was the head chef at Patricia’s restaurant, the place where they met, fell in love, and built a life rooted in hard work, family, and food.

They dreamed of building something of their own. A couple of years ago, they took a leap of faith and moved to Palm Bay, Florida, buying a food truck to bring Hamburger Patty’s (Hamburger Patty Wagon ) to Central Florida.

But everything changed in an instant.

After pouring everything they had into getting it ready, the truck was set to hit the road right around the time James received the bad news. Now, the food truck is forced to sit unused, not generating any income at the exact moment their medical and living expenses are beginning to pile on.

And today, on James’ birthday, we’re not celebrating the way anyone should be. We’re spending it in survival mode, trying to hold onto hope and time.

The Diagnosis We Never Imagined

After months of feeling sick and endless ER visits, doctors now believe James is facing Stage 4 pancreatic cancer that has metastasized to his liver, kidneys, and lymph nodes. It is extremely aggressive and moving fast.

His liver is dangerously swollen, to the point where he is at risk of sudden liver failure.

Every day is critical.

Every hour matters.

He had an emergency biopsy on November 19, 2025, and the reality became even clearer: this cancer is spreading rapidly, and waiting is not an option.

What’s Happening Right Now

James has already started fighting back. He just received his first chemotherapy treatment through an IV (today 12/02), and we are doing everything we can to keep him stable and strong enough for what comes next.

Why This Is So Urgent

James needs treatment immediately. But the type of treatment he needs, the treatment that gives him his best chance to survive, is not something his insurance will cover.

He needs to get into Envita Medical Center in Arizona, a leading clinic known for treating advanced, late-stage cancers using:

For someone in James’ condition, Envita offers hope when traditional treatment options are limited. But Envita does not accept insurance.

The cost is overwhelming:

His new, better insurance doesn’t start until January 1st. They need help right now just to keep him stable and alive long enough to begin the treatment plan that could save his life.

The Financial Burden

James will be unable to work. Patricia is juggling everything alone: the bills, the medical crisis, the food truck loan, and caring for James around the clock.

Between medical costs and personal expenses, she’s terrified of losing everything while fighting to keep James alive.

This fundraiser will help cover:

This is not just about bills, this is literally about giving James a chance to live.

Who James Truly Is

Anyone who knows James knows he is the kind of person who would give you the shirt off his back. He has always gone above and beyond for others, quietly doing things out of love, not recognition.

I want to share one story that explains exactly who James is.

At my wedding last June, my wife and I barely got a chance to eat (as most couples don’t). James noticed. He asked the venue for to-go boxes so we could bring our meals to the hotel later. The venue refused, which still blows my mind. But James wasn’t having it. He made sure those plates made it back to our room at the end of the night so we had something to eat.

Most people wouldn’t have noticed. Even fewer would have cared enough to act. But James did.

He is thoughtful, caring, protective, and selfless. He treats my sister the way every brother hopes someone will treat his sister. Our family, and the world, is better with him in it.

We are fighting for that person.

We are fighting for more time.

We are fighting for his life.

How You Can Help

Any amount, no matter how small, will help us move one step closer to getting James the treatment he urgently needs.

If you cannot donate, your prayers, shares, and words of support mean more to us than you know. Please help us spread James’ story so we can give him every possible chance to fight this.

Thank you for reading, thank you for caring, and thank you for standing with our family during the hardest moment we have ever faced.