Rally for Ruben - Expanding Our Circle of Hope

Late June 2016, brought life-changing news to our immediate family.  Our beloved father, Ruben, husband, and grandfather of six was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.  Inoperable and incurable.  As any family facing such a prognosis, we were, and still are, utterly devastated.  He’s 61 years old and has no history of poor health.  The doctor encouraged him to accept the most aggressive form of chemotherapy because pancreatic cancer is notorious for claiming lives in a matter of a few months after diagnosis.  But my dad is still young and strong, and we believe that with the aid of holistic medicine, he has a chance.  And there are many inspiring success stories out there to instill a strong sense of hope.

We are all maintaining a positive outlook, not embracing the thought of our dad becoming another unfortunate statistic.  My siblings and I do all we can to be there for our parents:  providing love and laughter, helping to stock the refrigerator with foods rich in nutrients, pitching in for essential supplements, and maintaining the house whenever possible.  But when we can’t be there, life is tough for them both.  The chemo has left dad feeling ill, weak, and physically unable to work.  And as he is still a few years away from collecting retirement, he has been without income.   My mother’s modest income has also taken a hit, as she is now taking family leave without pay, up to four days per week to provide care for the love of her life, as well as helping to raise two very young grandchildren living under the same roof.Mom and Dad

My dear father will be receiving chemotherapy every 14 days for the rest of his precious life.  As we research and experiment with medicinal herbs and supplements to offset the destructive effects of chemo, with an income decrease of almost 75%, we are already feeling the financial strain.  My parents’ mortgage needs to be paid, and their bills are piling. We are doing all we can, but it will not be enough to keep them from potentially losing their home.   Although blessed with an abundance of love and emotional support from friends and family, we cannot overlook the lack of financial resources needed to sustain my father’s fight against this relentless disease.

When we first received his diagnosis, my dad’s first and only concern was becoming a financial burden on his wife and family.  Though earning a modest income through consistent, hard work,  he has always supported his family, giving all that he has ever worked for and devoting himself wholeheartedly to his children and grandchildren.  The news that he would no longer be able to act as provider for his family was a heartbreaking concept to grasp.  While fighting a disease that thrives on stress, the last thing he needs is to worry that saving his life may cost the family everything.  The four of us simply cannot provide financial reassurance he needs, so as difficult as this is, we must now look outside our immediate family for help.  We are reaching out to you, our friends, family, and community, for donations to assist with paying bills, mortgage, and health-support not covered by his insurance. 
No amount is too small.

We understand financial hardships come to all, so if you are not in the position to offer financial assistance, any prayers, well wishes, and advice will be much appreciated by our family.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story, and if you know anyone who may be able and willing to share their abundance, knowledge, and stories with our family, we would be eternally grateful.

With love and a renewed sense of gratitude,

The Estrada family


Cannabinoid Oil Treatment of Cancer