Do you know and care for anyone in the Flores-Charles family? I know I do. That is why when Juano was diagnosed with stage IIA rectal cancer, my first thought was, how can we help? There are so many facets to dealing with a serious health diagnosis. Emotional, physical, personal, and of course financial. We can all show up for Juano, Leslie, Avita and Joaquin in meaningful ways individually, but we as a community can significantly lessen the financial burden that they are about to face.

Juano will begin treatment this month that will likely culminate in surgery in January of 2024. This means he will be unable to work during this time as well as a recovery period after. They will face added expenses for travel and doctor’s appointments that maddeningly are not covered by insurance, this has already been true. Juano and Leslie are resourceful and scrappy, but wouldn’t it be better if they could utilize those qualities for staying positive and healthy during this time rather than trying to figure out how to pay for added expenses with less income?

Juano is a great father, a fabulous husband, a devoted son and brother, a very special friend to many, a dedicated gardener, an eye of the tiger disc golfer and so much more. Let’s come together to support him and his family and collectively look forward to the day we can celebrate a cancer free Juano. Also, PLEASE, PLEASE,PLEASE, if you are over 45, go get a colonoscopy. For real.