Hello family and friends. My name is Ivy Tolentino. I am Vince Balandra’s niece. This year has already been a tough year for everyone going through the Covid-19 pandemic. Sadly our family has been through even more devastating times in such a short period.  Still reeling from the loss of my cousin Jon, Vince’s son, we now have been faced with even more sad news. I am heartbroken to inform you that Vince has been diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma Lung Cancer. On behalf of his wife Valerie, (late) son Jonathan Balandra, daughter  Gabrielle, son-in-law Stephen and our Balandra family, we are reaching out to ask for your aide to help with the cost of his medical treatment. We appreciate any contribution you are able to make at this time and we ask that you please keep him in your prayers. We thank you immensely!

It has been hard to articulate and put into words what we are going through as a family and how we learned of his condition. It has all happened so fast. Vince and Valerie’s friends, Melanie and Jay, kindly put it into words for me. Here is what they wrote:

Vince Balandra, is one of the most loveable people you will ever meet, Vince is a 65 year-old “young at heart“ man that was diagnosed on June 15, 2020 with Adenocarcinoma Lung Cancer that has metastasized to his bones. Vince always has a smile on his face and upon meeting him, leaves a smile as his unforgettable signature. He’s one of those guys who becomes your new best buddy and a friend for life. This GoFundMe page is an effort to keep those friendships and new ones continuing.
A brief bio:
Vince is a retired member of the Teamster Local #173 from Pepsico-Tropicana Corporation. He has been living his dream life the past four years in Central Florida. Born to a service family on a U.S. Navy base in the Philippines, Vince’s family soon moved to San Francisco where many of his relatives remain to this day. Vince graduated from Mission High School in San Francisco and eventually settled in Bradenton, Florida until retirement four years ago.
Vince began suffering with hip, back and shoulder pain right before the February pandemic hit. Tragically on April 22nd, Vince and Valerie’s son Jonathan Balandra passed away. Due to Covid 19, they were unable to attend their son’s memorial in San Francisco which attributed to Vince’s pain due to the stress surrounding the sudden loss of his son and the pandemic.
Early in June 2020, Vince went for an MRI which prompted a bone biopsy and PET scan. He is a non-smoker, eats organically and leads a healthy lifestyle. There were no symptoms other than back pain. His physicians have told him that his treatment options here in the United States involve therapies that would further destroy his immune system, cause severe side effects and only increase his survival rate by 2%.
Vince’s wife Valerie Gray Balandra, ARNP, of Chantilly, Virginia is a licensed holistic nurse practitioner. Upon learning the prognosis and consulting with local physicians and medical experts, Valerie immediately began researching treatment options outside of the United States. Vince and Valerie became aware of some very encouraging cancer treatments in other countries that have specific protocols with promising results to care for his type of cancer. Unfortunately, these targeted Adenocarcinoma cancer treatments are not covered by Medicare or health insurance and are completely out-of-pocket expenses. As Vince is on Social Security with limited income, any amount of financial help with his treatment is gratefully appreciated.
Vince is a proud member of both The Villages Rhythm and Blues Line Dance Club and Sugar and Spice Line Dance performance group. He brings joy to all who watch him dance and performs in nursing homes and clubs around the community sharing his gift for dance. Vince also belongs to The Villages Filipino-American Club and attends St. Vincent DePaul’s Catholic Church. Vince Balandra, the man who all consider their buddy, needs everyone, everywhere to pray, send healing energy and to keep him in their heart. If you can financially aide with Vince’s life improving medical treatment and help save his life, it would be a blessing forever.

Let’s help Vince put up the best fight possible against cancer!