It has been over a decade since Carlos was first diagnosed with cancer. For more than 10 years, our family has been fighting alongside him through one treatment after another in hopes of finally beating this disease. Carlos has endured nearly every treatment available including chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, radiation, two CAR-T cell transplants, and most recently a bone marrow transplant. Each time we were given hope that this could be the treatment that finally cures him. Sadly, each time the cancer has returned. His most recent treatment, the bone marrow transplant, was supposed to be the most aggressive option — the “last big weapon.” Carlos spent 100 days in the hospital followed by more than six months recovering at home. Despite everything his body went through, the cancer returned much sooner than anyone expected.

For those who don’t know Carlos, he is a board-certified pediatrician who specialized in neonatology. For over 25 years, he has cared for the tiniest and most fragile patients in the NICU. He loved his work and spent his career fighting for babies and supporting families who couldn’t fight for themselves

Cancer has repeatedly pulled Carlos away from his career, his normal life, and our family’s stability. The medical bills, travel for treatment, and loss of income have added up to thousands and thousands of dollars. Anyone who has faced something like this knows the truth in the saying: you have a million problems in life until your health becomes one of them — then it becomes the only thing that matters. Through it all, Carlos continues to push forward with and remains mentally tough. He fought this disease through his entire 50s, and it has not been easy on anyone involved. Our son is 8 yrs old and is giving him the strength to continue fighting.

Now we are preparing for the next step. In about a week, Carlos will be traveling to Texas to be re-evaluated and re-staged. He is currently on the donor list for another bone marrow transplant. Right now, we don’t know how long he will need to stay there or what the next phase of treatment will look like. What we do know is that our family is facing a very difficult situation. Carlos is currently on disability and his insurance will end in April. This time, he is not just taking a temporary leave from work. He will not be able to return. It will take 20 months before he qualifies for medicare insurance and our funds and family help are completely exhausted. Without insurance, the treatments he needs will not even be possible. Between medical costs, insurance, travel, housing, and the 24/7 care he will need during recovery, the financial burden has become overwhelming. For the first time in this long fight, we feel truly scared and uncertain about how we will make this work.

If you are able to donate, we are deeply grateful. Your support will help us cover medical expenses, travel to Texas for treatment, housing during his stay, and the care he will need during recovery. If you are not able to donate, sharing Carlos’s story and keeping him in your thoughts and prayers means just as much to our family. Thank you for standing with us during this fight.