Rommel Cinco Memorial and Education Fund

"Disarmingly honest, generous, inquisitive and expressive, with a bellowing open-mouthed laugh that I thought only happened in cartoons. Every conversation with him was a jolt of energy." This is how one of Rommel's friends best described him.

We are Dana and Craig Plumley, close friends of Kristin and Rommel's. We all went to the same high school, have been friends for a long time, and now live in the same Ladera Ranch community. Essentially they are "Auntie Kristin" & "Uncle Rommel" to our son, and we think of their family as our family too.

Rommel was diagnosed with lung cancer in March 2014 (our friend who never smoked or drank a day in his life) and got the all-clear a year later. In July 2015 Rommel's initial lung cancer spread to his brain and he was told by a hospital neurosurgeon that he only had 4 - 6 weeks to live. Fortunately, he went on a drug called Tarceva and then later Tagrisso which helped keep the cancer at bay for many years. Unfortunately, in September 2022 Rommel began experiencing excruciating stomach pain. He learned that his cancer had developed resistance to Tagrisso and had found a new home in his abdomen. Rommel went through valiant efforts to try to stop the cancer from growing by doing 2 rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy in November.

Rommel was passionate about everything - his job, his workouts, his friends and most of all his family. His most recent goal was to make another trip to Maui with his extended family, a trip filled with many happy memories in the past and present. The family was able to enjoy some much-needed relaxation and take in the beauty of the island. As usual, Rommel powered through the week with a huge grin on his face, but his pain continued. Upon the family's return from Maui, Rommel and his family learned that the cancer had continued to grow. Having made it to Hawaii, he was now willing to communicate how much true pain he was in. He was also exhausted from the prolonged battle against cancer which had taken a significant toll. After an 8+ year fight and many many open discussions with his family, Rommel decided to begin hospice on Friday, December 16th. He passed peacefully 24 hours later, on December 17th, surrounded by the love and presence of close friends and his beloved family.

It was important to Rommel that the boys had the opportunity to continue their education beyond high school. Unfortunately, after the diagnosis back in 2015, Rommel was unable to work which hindered his ability to build their college funds. We have decided to start this Go Fund Me to support the boys in continuing their education.

Regardless of whether or not you are able to make a financial contribution, we do have one more hope. If you can, please email [email redacted] with your memories and photos of Rommel so that we can share these stories with Ethan and Spencer.

No funding target has been established, and any generosity is appreciated.

Thank you!

Dana & Craig Plumley