Family, friends and kind strangers,
My name is Desiree, and I am reaching out with a heavy yet hopeful heart to ask for your prayers, love, and support for my brother Raulie and my parents Carla and Raul Apodaca during this extremely difficult time our family is now facing.
Raulie has always been a fighter, and his life story is one of joy, strength, and faith. He was born with Down Syndrome, and from the very beginning, he’s been the light of our lives. He’s 28 years old, a proud Special Olympics athlete, a loving uncle, a great friend, and the kind of person who brings laughter, peace, and kindness wherever he goes.
Back in December of 2024, Raulie was suddenly diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent surgery in Denver, Colorado to remove a large tumor. We were hopeful that it would be the end of the journey but unfortunately that would not be the case. Just days ago, our lives were turned upside down again when follow up scans showed that Raulie’s cancer has spread to his lymph nodes in his pelvis, abdomen, chest, and neck. This diagnosis came on so quickly. One day he was so full of energy – joking, dancing, and competing in Special Olympics – and now he is battling Stage 3 Metastatic Testicular cancer.
Raulie was in Denver all last week getting tests, scans and port placement surgery done. He will begin an intensive chemotherapy treatment this coming Monday, June 9th, that will last over the course of the next 3 months. This treatment plan will require him to receive chemotherapy infusions 5 days a week followed by a 2-week recovery period. This will continue for 4 cycles which totals to 20 rounds of chemotherapy.
We are asking for prayers first and foremost – prayers for strength, healing, and peace for Raulie and our entire family. We are also humbly asking for any financial support you can offer to help Raul and Carla be alongside their son every step of the way. To help alleviate the worry of additional medical bills and expenses not being covered by insurance since his treatments need to be out of state, travel to and from Colorado, lodging, meals, and any daily needs that come with our long road ahead.
Every donation, every share, and every prayer mean more than words to us. We’re believing in miracles, and we know we’re not alone. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for being a part of his fight. We’re not giving up and we know that God isn’t done with his story. Raulie’s strength, spirit, and faith will carry him through this one step, one day, one prayer at a time. God Bless! #RaulieStrong
