My name is Diego Lopez, and I am the only child of my mother, Linda Lopez.

On Tuesday, February 10th, my mom went to the emergency room after experiencing a severe back spasm following about a month of ongoing back pain. During imaging, doctors discovered nodules in her lung and a tumor in her spine. Shortly after, she was diagnosed with Stage IV adenocarcinoma lung cancer.

This diagnosis came as a complete shock to us. My mom is a non-smoker and only 56 years old, and we never expected something like this. Doctors originally believed her cancer may involve an EGFR mutation, which could give her a better chance at long-term survival with targeted treatments. As of March 17, 2026, her cancer has been confirmed to be caused by an ALK mutation, which is rarer than EGFR, but still treatable with targeted therapies and offers hope for long-term survival.

Despite having insurance, the financial burden of cancer treatment is overwhelming. I am currently a senior at Fort Lewis College, graduating on May 2nd with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. My mom has always supported me through everything in my life—from my BMX racing when I was younger to allowing me to live at home while pursuing my education. We have never had much financially, but she has sacrificed so much to give me every opportunity she could.

My goal has always been to give back to her after I graduate and help her live comfortably and become debt-free as she enters retirement. Unfortunately, cancer has changed those plans, and we are now facing a very uncertain road.

My mom is the most caring and selfless person I know. She deserves to focus on her health and treatment without the added stress of financial worries during this fight.

Any support, no matter the amount, would mean the world to us. Donations will help cover medical expenses, treatment costs, and everyday living expenses as we navigate this incredibly difficult time.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for any support you can give.