My name is Paul, but this posting is not about me. It is about a gentleman in the prime of his life, who is being cut-down by terminal cancer. His name is Juan Malagon. A husband and father to a family of four.

When I met Juan 20+ years ago, he was a skilled laborer in the employ of a landscape contracting company in the San Francisco Bay Area. I was the customer; a former GC myself, working on my own garden. I had seen countless subcontractors' crews throughout my career. Every so often, one man would stand out above all the rest. That man is Juan Malagon. As I have come to know him, he is a kind and gentle soul with a heart the size of Texas. He is earnest to a fault and takes nothing for granted. Despite any aspect of social, racial, or economic differentiation, Juan is surely one of the truest gentlemen known to me.

Over the years, Juan has struggled to find work because, despite his extraordinary craft as a landscaper, he is not a skilled businessman. Thus, he has not been able to build a financial nest egg ... often living paycheck-to-paycheck. And now, for the last 1/2-year, those paychecks have stopped due to aggressive and debilitating cancer therapy.

Whether we like ACA or not, Juan's medical care has been covered ... which is a blessing. However, Juan can no longer put food on the table, nor pay any bills. Social Security's SSDI is proving non-responsive. His children have been forced to discontinue their education. His current survival efforts are too saddening for readers' comfort; suffice to say, it breaks my heart. Over the last 1/2-year, I have personally gifted several thousand dollars to Juan ... but I can only do so much. Hence, I have started this GoFundMe posting.

Any and all help is welcomed. Financial assistance is paramount. Non-financial assistance (guidance?) is also invited. Medical guidance on cutting-edge technologies for Stage 4B small cell prostate cancer (w/ metastases to liver & lymph) could also be transformative.

PHOTOS: 1) family photo from years ago, 2) Juan today, starting second round of chemotherapy, 3) example of Juan's craftsmanship in his trade.

Fineprint: to those for whom it matters, Juan is a naturalized, tax-paying, US citizen.