Support Carmelo's Fight Against Cancer

From new dad to fighting cancer, never in a million years would we have thought this is how life would have played out.

Just a few weeks before the birth of his first baby girl, my 25-year-old little brother Carmelo received news that shook us all: he has testicular cancer.

While most new dads are building cribs and washing bottles getting ready to bring a baby home, he was sitting in a hospital room, facing a diagnosis no young man ever expects or wants to hear: he has cancer. It was shocking, gut-wrenching, and quite possibly the WORST timing ever. Anyone that knows Carmelo knows he likes to keep it “chill.” He’s pretty nonchalant and doesn’t easily stress out. Well, guess what? He was no different with any of this. He showed his excitement for his baby coming and didn’t dwell on what was to come with the dreaded C word. Even though he was in an incredible amount of pain every day, he went to work and got things handled for Jacy (his girlfriend), Harlow (his unborn baby), and himself. Because that’s just what Carmelo does. Once the plan had been set and he knew what the first steps of removing this cancer were, he prepared for that as well, with high spirits and jokes because that’s just who he is. You’d never even know the worry and stress this put on him, he didn’t want us to worry, he wanted this to be about his baby girl and for this time in his life to be the happiest, like it’s supposed to be right?

The day after his beautiful daughter Harlow was born, April 28th, 2025, he underwent surgery to remove the tumor. Surgery for this was successful. He had to come back to the hospital with Jacy and the baby to recover, which was less than ideal, but he let us know while he was loopy from anesthesia that, and I quote, “I miss Harlow,” and he was okay with sleeping in a hospital chair just so he could be with her. We were all hopeful and thought the worst was behind us—but life had other plans.

In the weeks that followed, doctors discovered that the cancer had spread rapidly and is much worse than we thought. He has spots on his lungs, liver and in his lymph nodes. So now, instead of sleepless nights filled with baby cuddles and first smiles, he’s facing aggressive, grueling treatment that will turn his world upside down. It’s going to be rough, but he’s ready to fight for himself and his new little family.

He’s just beginning to learn what it means to be a dad—how to hold her, change her, and see himself in her tiny, perfect face. But he’s also fighting for his life. And he’s doing it with courage, strength, and love that I’ve never seen in him before. Harlow is the best distraction from this we could have ever asked for, but we also know that we need to surround him with support and love because he’s going through it.

His girlfriend Jacy—Harlow’s amazing mom—is the only one working. She had to go back to work just a couple of weeks after the baby was born because Carmelo was told by his doctors that he cannot return to work until he is better. So, in order to keep their little family afloat, she’s doing what she needs to do. Between the cost of living, caring for a newborn, and now medical bills that are piling up fast, they are barely making it, and neither of them needs the added financial stress.

I am asking all of our family, friends, acquaintances, and anyone else compelled to help to please consider donating to them. This isn’t just about hospital stays and chemo. It’s about giving a new dad the chance to see his daughter’s first steps… to walk her to her first day of school… to dance with her at her wedding someday.

Your support will help cover:

• Medical expenses and treatments

• Travel to and from hospitals

• Rent, food, and diapers

• Time to heal without the crushing weight of financial stress

Every dollar, every share, every prayer makes a difference. If you can’t give, please share. Help us surround my brother and his little family with love, hope, and strength as they fight this battle together.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Jordynn