Hello everyone,

I’m Melissa Hernandez, and I’m reaching out on behalf of my son, Armando. As some of you may know, Armando spent the past year studying abroad in Taiwan, immersing himself in the Chinese language and culture. He recently completed his degrees in International Relations, International Business, and Chinese Language and Culture. Armando’s always been passionate about learning, traveling, and experiencing different cultures and cuisines.

On May 10, 2024, what started as a routine doctor visit for a minor issue turned into something much more serious. Armando was diagnosed with Stage 2 cancer. The news was a shock to all of us. Within weeks, Armando was in surgery, where doctors discovered that the cancer had spread to nearby lymph nodes, making immediate chemotherapy necessary. The silver lining is that this type of cancer responds well to chemotherapy, giving us hope.

While in Taiwan, Armando was hospitalized for six days to begin his chemotherapy treatment. Each day, he underwent about 6-8 hours of infusions with cisplatin and etoposide. Two days later, he would return for one last infusion for the month. After that, he had two weeks off to recover before the cycle started again. This process will repeat until the cancer is gone, which can be confirmed through blood tests, MRI scans, and PET scans.

Despite everything, Armando decided to stay in Taiwan for his treatment. It wasn’t an easy decision—being so far from home and family—but it made the most sense financially. The cost of treatment in the U.S. would have been around $40,000, so staying in Taiwan seemed the best option. His study abroad program provided incredible support, and his partner, Robert, flew in from the U.S. to be with him during this tough time.

Since August, Armando has been back home in the U.S., and we’re so grateful to have him with us. But the fight isn’t over. The medical bills, travel costs, and ongoing care have been overwhelming. We’re hoping to raise $15,000 to help cover these expenses so Armando can focus on what’s most important—his recovery.

Armando is strong, and we’re incredibly proud of his courage. Any support, whether it’s a donation or simply sharing this message, would mean the world to us. Thank you so much for standing by Armando and our family during this challenging time.