Help support Richard and his family with this Cancer battle

My loving husband Richard, father to our six kids Mikey, Jayden, Donny, Penelope, Richie, and August, has just received the worst possible news any family could endure. My husband was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer at 35 years old, a non-smoker, non-drinker. All he does is love his family, work 12 to 16-hour graveyard shifts just so he can spend the day with us and work at night so he can provide for his family and have time for us as well.

This life-threatening condition has resulted in him going back-and-forth to Palm Springs every week, already exhausting all of our savings due to missing work for all his appointments. Before I elaborate on those details, I wanted to take a moment to introduce who Richard is and what he means to our family.

Richard can be best described as the gentle giant. Big in stature and also big in his heart. He’s fun and loving and always laughing. The kind of guy who will pick up rib eyes and bottles of cab, and be giddy over just a night hanging around a fire pit. He is a dedicated husband to our 6 kids! a proud father a loving son, a protective big brother, the fun uncle always slipping 20s, and a damn good friend”.

Richards struggle began suddenly on march 28, when he went for an x-ray for his shoulder to get his rotator cuff repaired of course he tore his rotator cuff while playing baseball with the kids a day later his doctor called frantically saying that they found a mass in his lungs. Now leaving him to battle for his life. The ups and downs during those early days were truly gut-wrenching. I never want to revisit those conversations had with my sisters during that time. By the grace of God, doctors think we caught it early enough to start chemo and do surgery.

My husbands battle and recovery with cancer will be extensive, requiring physical, occupational, and speech therapy due to his lymph nodes around his windpipe and heart being affected by the tumor inside, his lungs. During this time, he will be unable to work, creating a significant financial burden on our family. Additionally, the medical bills are overwhelming, and the costs of ongoing care and therapy are substantial. We are doing our best to hold the family together, but with 6 kids, the emotional and financial strain is immense.

We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support from everyone. Even the check-ins from friends. It has touched all of us how everyone has jumped up and pitched in to help where they can. Your kindness and generosity mean the world to us and give us hope during this challenging time. If you know my husband you know he is salt of the earth good people. Loving father that loves watching his kids exceeded in sports and in school. Please consider donating and sharing with those who have had the pleasure of knowing my husband Richard. It would mean the world to our big family.

With heartfelt gratitude,

The Rush family.