Arturo was sure the discomfort in his throat was due to tonsillitis. The chronic and increasingly intense pain plagued him for over one year. Home remedies would provide temporary relief. He figured tonsillitis was very painful and did not worry too much.

The Texas Deep Freeze earlier this year worsened his symptoms. Without electricity for days, cold air caused severe irritation in Arturo’s throat. No longer able to eat comfortably, he decided it was time to seek medical treatment.

It was not long after his visit with the doctor that Arturo was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his throat. The diagnosis was oropharyngeal cancer: cancer in the oropharynx, which is the middle part of the throat (pharynx).

Symptoms had changed his life already, but having a diagnosis would turn his life around. It was time to fight the disease straight on. Before he could do that, Arturo needed to be breathing and eating well. A stoma (opening) was made in his neck to let air get to the lungs and a feeding tube helps keep him nourished.

A back injury had kept Arturo from returning to his construction job several years ago. Uninsured, he worried about the costs of the oncology treatment he desperately needs until he was referred to the Renaissance Cancer Foundation.

“God bless everyone that supports the fundraisers and makes donations to the Foundation to help families like ours,” says Sandra, Arturo’s wife. Due to his illness, Sandra has shared her husband’s story while he listens intently. “I have faith Arturo will heal and see our six- month-old grandson Mariano grow up to become an adult.” Sandra looks forward to more grandchildren, with Arturo by her side for many years to come.