*JOIN US FOR A BINGO GET TOGETHER BEFORE MANNY'S BIG SURGERY! BINGO INVITE *

ABOUT MANNY

You know him as Manny, but to us he is Papi or Gordo if you ask our mom. A great dad, like our dad, defies all expectations. He is the architect of a family’s foundation, a coach who never leaves the sidelines of your life, and the one person you can always, always count on under any circumstance.

For the four of us, our collective memories are painted with a man who embodied this greatness every single day. We remember the endless late nights he spent running his own business, then and now, working relentlessly while the rest of the world is asleep, his discipline etching a blueprint of hard work into our very DNA. We also recognize that his dedication to work never eclipsed his dedication to his family.

Alongside our mom he was the voice cheering the loudest for us at our sports games when we were kids. He was the constant presence on and off the field, coaching our teams and always knowing he was there in the stands. He was the one making us laugh, confident, happy and proud, and still does today.

He is a man who supports us unconditionally, helping the three of us through grade school, college and beyond. He has set a standard for fatherhood that is impossible to replicate. In fact, if you asked any of us what his voicemail sounds like, we couldn't tell you, because he never, ever misses a phone call from one of his children.

Now, the man who spent his entire life tirelessly supporting us and our future, never failing to fight for us, is unfortunately facing an uphill battle he cannot win alone.

MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS

Recently after an overnight emergency room visit due to sudden and excessive internal hemorrhaging, our dad was diagnosed with a malignant GIST (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor), a rare cancer in the upper gastrointestinal tract that has begun to spread slightly to his liver. This was the result of a rare genetic mutation of the KIT gene (KIT Proto-Oncogene, Receptor Tyrosine Kinase).

Due to the tumor's location in the second section of his duodenum (starting portion of small intestine), his doctors have determined that his only viable path forward is a daunting, complex operation known as a Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy).

To clarify the medical reality, a standard Whipple is already one of the most extensive general surgeries possible with up to a 60% morbidity rate. It involves the removal of the head of the pancreas, along with the entirety of the duodenum, gallbladder, and bile duct. In addition, his surgical team will be performing a partial liver resection to remove the spread, before meticulously reconstructing and reattaching his digestive tract. This is a grueling six-hour surgery, so the toll it takes on the body is immense, and the road to recovery is incredibly steep over a multi-month period.Post-surgery treatment also involves a 3-year minimum cycle of adjuvant therapy to reduce the chances of recurrence.

My dad has run his own small business for nearly three decades, and his livelihood depends entirely on his ability to work. Stepping away for a major surgery and the subsequent months of intensive, grueling recovery means his income comes to a sudden halt, all while medical bills are skyrocketing. This burden is incredibly heavy, especially since he just underwent an appendectomy to treat sudden appendicitis half a year ago.

WHY A GoFundMe?

We are launching this GoFundMe to help alleviate the crushing financial, physical, and mental weight of this diagnosis and surgery so our dad can focus entirely on surviving and healing. The funds raised will go directly toward:

GOALS

We have two goals: to help him recover in all aspects and to get him back on the bowling lanes ASAP. His favorite hobby is competitive bowling. He consistently qualifies as one of the top senior bowlers in Miami-Dade County and recently became a 3-time Senior Bowling Tournament Champion! The bowling alley is the one place where his mind can shut off and can focus on just one thing.

Papi, our dad, our champion, spent his life planting the seeds for our future family tree. Now, we are asking for your help to ensure he is here to watch our forest grow. Let's rally together to help his fight against cancer, just like he dedicated his life to rallying for us. This is now our time to provide, protect, and support him, as he eternally did for us.

If you are in a position to donate, any amount—no matter how small—makes a profound difference. If you are unable to donate at this time, simply sharing this link with your network, friends, or family would mean the absolute world to us.

Thank you for your time, your prayers, and your endless support during the hardest fight of our dad's life.

With Love,

Patty, Adrian, Chloe, & Brian