Helping Mario through Stage 4 Lung Cancer

Mario Alvarez, a local dog walker and trainer, has recently been diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. He is almost 6 months into a 2 year treatment plan and the hopes were that he would be able to carry on with work. However, chemo treatments have taken a major toll on his health and, without work, is struggling to make ends meet.

Mario was diagnosed after a unrecoverable fall with a client's lab, who never left his side and, from what Mario can remember, never stopped licking his face. After being transported to the ER and extensive studies, the doctors found a metastasized mass in his head at the top of his spine. With further tests, they found the source of the cancer to be in his lungs. After weeks of recovery from brain surgery to remove the mass with the lowest margins possible, and a week of radiation, Mario began chemo treatments to go after the masses on the lungs.

Since chemo has begun, Mario has faced one obstacle after the next with regards to his health.  He has not been able to work in months. And medical expenses have been exorbitant. He faces and fears loosing his apartment with not many options on where to go. His daughter is doing everything she can to help but, unfortunately with only a couple of family members here, cannot support Mario on her own.

Anyone that knows Mario, knows that he has a heart of gold, is fiercely dedicated to the well being and safety of dogs, cares for his clients above and beyond, and has been a long time "regular" at the Village Luncheonette, Village Market and Carluzzi's. 

Please join me in helping to raise some funds so that Mario can worry less about how his bills will be paid. I know that he's too humble to ask for help, and he would be sincerely grateful for any support.