Throttle Up: Let’s Help Uncle Ride Through Cancer!

We are reaching out today with heavy hearts to ask for your support for my beloved uncle, Rey Espinoza, who has recently been diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

This type of cancer affects the lymphatic system and is known for being difficult to treat. My uncle Rey has always been a strong, hardworking, and caring individual who has given so much to his family and community. He is now facing the fight of his life, and we want to ensure that he has everything he needs to combat this illness head-on.

My uncle Rey begins his treatment journey, we are asking for your support to help alleviate the financial burden that comes with medical expenses, treatments, hospital visits, medications, and the everyday costs of life while he focuses on his recovery. Your donations will make a significant impact, helping to cover:

Medical expenses (chemotherapy, surgeries, medications)

Hospital stays and ongoing treatments

Daily living expenses during this difficult time

Time off work

My uncle Rey’s family is by his side, supporting him every step of the way, but this is a long and uncertain road, and we are asking for your help to lighten the load. No amount is too small, and every donation will go directly to helping Rey in his battle against cancer.

If you are unable to donate, we ask that you share this campaign with your network to help spread the word and keep my uncle Rey in your thoughts and prayers. Your support, whether through donations, kind words, or positive energy, means the world to us.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing with my uncle Rey during this challenging time. Together, we can make a difference.

With gratitude,

Ericka Avila Brian

April 1st Update:  Hi everyone, I’m here with Uncle Rey today, and I wanted to give you all a quick update. He’s currently up on the second floor while I’m on the first, waiting for him to finish his PET scan. This scan is absolutely crucial for his cancer treatment, as it will help the doctors pinpoint where the cancer is and how much it has spread. A PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography) is a special imaging test that shows the activity of cells in the body and can reveal even the smallest signs of cancer. As we continue this journey, every donation and every bit of support means the world to us. Uncle Rey is staying strong, but the road ahead is still long, and we need all the help we can get. Please consider donating or sharing this campaign to help us get him the treatment he needs. Your kindness is making a real difference. Thank you for being part of this fight with us. - Love you all Ericka

Today, Uncle Rey is taking a big step in his cancer treatment journey. He’s getting his port placed to start his treatment. This is a crucial part of his fight, but also a reminder of the immense costs that come with it. The port alone was close to $2,000, and the journey ahead is only going to get more expensive. We ask for your continued support, whether through donations or prayers. Every bit helps, and we are so grateful for the love and strength you’ve shown Rey. If you’re able to donate, please consider doing so …. no amount is too small. Your generosity makes a world of difference in this challenging time. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Let’s keep pushing forward together!  

✨Update on Uncle Rey's Health Journey✨

 We are currently waiting at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center (Phoenix, AZ) Uncle Rey will be undergoing a bone marrow biopsy today to help doctors pinpoint the origin of his mantle cell lymphoma. This crucial step will provide more clarity on his diagnosis and guide the best treatment plan moving forward. The biopsy will also give the medical team important insights into how the cancer is affecting his body overall. We are asking for continued support and donations as we navigate this difficult time. Every contribution, big or small, helps us provide Uncle Rey with the care he needs and gives him the strength to fight this battle. Please keep Uncle Rey in your thoughts and prayers as we continue this journey. Your love and generosity mean the world to us! Please share to spread the word and keep the support going! Thank you for being part of this fight with us. 

Family & Friends, we finally have an update on Uncle Rey’s condition.✨ After many tests and appointments, the doctors have confirmed that Uncle Rey has been diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It develops in the mantle zone of lymph nodes and tends to spread quickly, which makes early treatment especially important. Before we share the prognosis, please remember: we must stay rooted in hope. As a family of faith, we believe in miracles. Doctors can only base their prognosis on previous cases, but they don’t know Uncle Rey like we do. He’s a fighter, a warrior, and absolutely one of the strongest people we know. With that said… Uncle Rey has been diagnosed at Stage 3, meaning the lymphoma has spread beyond the original lymph nodes to other areas in the body. Additionally, his results show a p53 gene mutation. This gene normally acts as a tumor suppressor, helping regulate how cells grow and divide. When it’s mutated, it can make the cancer more aggressive and more resistant to standard treatments. This adds complexity to his case, but not impossibility. Based on past cases, individuals with this diagnosis and mutation have lived 12 months to 2 years but again, this is only based on history. Uncle Rey is not a statistic. He is a force to be reckoned with, and we fully believe that his story is still being written. He is overall healthy, strong and has an army of support. There are two treatment options available right now, but we’re in a holding pattern while we wait for insurance approval before any treatment can begin. Please keep him in your prayers and lift him up in strength and light. We’ll continue to share updates as we get them. For now, just know that Uncle Rey is facing this head-on, and we’re right beside him every step of the way. Please continue to donate. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated.2nd Oncologist Visit at City of Hope – Goodyear 

We wanted to share an important update with you all. After our second visit with the oncologist at City of Hope in Goodyear, we received the results from the bone marrow biopsy. Unfortunately, the results came back positive, which means his diagnosis has now moved from Stage 3 to Stage 4. What does Stage 4 mean?
 Stage 4 cancer simply means that the cancer has spread beyond its original area. It's important to remember that this is just a way for doctors to understand where the cancer is and how best to treat it. Stage 4 doesn't define the fight ahead it helps the medical team create the most effective plan to move forward. We are staying strong and focused. Treatment has officially started with oral medication, and infusions are set to begin on 4/28. We remain full of hope and determination as we move into this next phase. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. Every prayer, every donation, every word of encouragement means more than we can express. If you’re able, please consider donating to help support him through this journey. We are so grateful for all of you walking alongside us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will continue to update you as we go.