My name is Juan and I’m writing this for someone who means more to me than I can put into words, my cousin René.

René is the kind of person who brings life wherever he goes. He has always been full of energy, laughter, and that unmistakable warmth you feel so deeply in Latino families. As he was stepping into young adulthood and preparing for his future, his life took an unexpected and difficult turn.

Right before Christmas, instead of celebrating the usual milestones of a teenager, René began a gruelling journey with cancer.

René has been diagnosed with high-grade conventional osteosarcoma of the left humerus. This is an aggressive bone cancer that has already required major, life-altering surgery: a radical resection of his proximal humerus and a non-conventional modular shoulder replacement. While this surgery was a critical step, René’s fight is far from over.

He is now facing ongoing medical treatments and a long road of physical therapy to regain motor control, strength, and function in his left arm. Every day, René continues to show incredible bravery in his fight to recover.

Thankfully, much of René’s medical treatment is being covered. But as many families know, cancer brings many additional burdens: rehabilitation, travel, time away from work, and emotional strain that no insurance can cover. Our goal is to ease as much of that weight as possible so the Zambrano family can focus entirely on René’s recovery.

Your support will go toward not only his physical healing, but also his mental and emotional wellbeing.

René wanted to share a few words himself:

“Hi, my name is René. I’m 16 years old and I’m from Ecuador. On October 20, 2025, I fell while playing soccer and fractured my left shoulder. After weeks of immobilisation, doctors discovered a tumour in my arm, known as osteosarcoma.

The only option was surgery to remove the tumour and part of the bone. I now have a prosthesis and I’m beginning rehabilitation.

I used to be very active. I trained in boxing, and I would love to be able to train again one day and return to a normal life. Thank you so much for any help you can give.”

If you’re not in a position to donate, we ask just as sincerely for your prayers, positive thoughts and good vibrations. Please consider leaving a note of encouragement for René on this GoFundMe page, messages of support mean more to our family than you may realise.

René is a young man of incredible strength, and we are deeply grateful for any kindness shown to him and our family.