Hello y’all. I’m Richard Navarro. For the past few years, I have been fighting the fight of my life. A fight I know I cannot win. I’ve been battling one form of a life taking disease known as cancer. All of you know me as the strong guy who deals with my illness on my own. As most of you might remember, I also had to deal with being homeless at a time when my health was at its worst. That was not because of cancer. It was because my father decided that my illness was fake and I was not ill. I was forced from his home and forced to live on the street. Staying many nights in my vehicle because I had limited funds to fight my illness and to pay for everyday living expenses.

I spent 3 months on the street, battling the cancer and the threats from other homeless individuals who wanted to rip me off. In October of last year, I underwent colon cancer surgery to remove a tumor. I spent over 2 weeks in the hospital with only 1 of 7 brothers even having any concern about me or my health. I got out of the hospital only to be homeless once again. Was it not for a kind 94 year old that took me in to her home and allowed me to recover in her home, rather than on the streets. Life is very difficult at times, and it’s even more difficult when you are sick with cancer and living on the streets.

I’m now recovering from colon cancer, but now I have been diagnosed with liver cancer. The start of another round of treatment, another battle. Most of you may have never experienced the difficulties of getting medical treatment, and I pray you never do. On the other hand, I have been also battling the healthcare and insurance agencies. I have exceeded my medi-cal help and now need to provide my own medical healthcare coverage. It’s a thing that may extend my life and keep me around so I can still see all of you. My friends, coworkers, business associates, my 2 sons, and bosses are the people who have given me the most support at this crucial time. All but 1 sibling have not shown that they care.

I had already started the next fight with the liver cancer, when my medi-cal benefits got taken away. I am now no longer in treatment because I cannot afford the insurance premiums, my rent, car payment, and living expenses on the small social security allowance that I’m given per month, and have to literally fight to keep getting. Thank you for taking the time to read my sad luck story. Please contribute if you can and what you can. Remember that even a small amount will go a long way.