Easing the Burden for Rex's Loved Ones

My brother in law, Rex, went into the hospital in February, because he noticed to a lump on his upper thigh. He was sent home with some pain medication. No MRI was done due to the lack of equipment in Samoa. He returned on March 28th to the hospital and again was sent home without a diagnosis. A few days later, on April 2nd, Rex was hospitalized with what appeared to be pneumonia. The doctors later diagnosed him with stage 4 progressive lung cancer and gave him 3 weeks to live. This shocked our family as he went in with a cough. Unfortunately, there is no Oncologist in Samoa, and we were informed they cannot performed a biopsy due to the lack of equipment. Rex's older brother, my husband, requested the results of the tests done in Samoa to be sent to the US for further review. With incomplete reports from Samoa, the Oncologist and other colleagues, in the US, suspected Rex was suffering from Sarcoma Cancer that was undiagnosed when he went in to check the lump on his upper thigh. This led the doctors to conclude that this was a tumor that spread into Rex’s lungs and was too late for any treatment for Rex.

While Rex was fighting for his life in the hospital, his wife was also admitted, and learned she had been pregnant and unfortunately suffered a miscarriage. The hardest scene was when she had to break the devastating news to her husband!! The strength it takes to navigate these challenges is unimaginable, our heart aches for them both. Rex lost his battle to cancer today April 23, 2025

In January, my husbands family buried their little brother Fitu. Now, they are burying another. Rex is only 36 and the sole provider for his family working as a police officer in Samoa. He is leaving behind his wife and a 2 year old daughter. The love he had for them was pure and strong! The financial burden of burying a loved one is heavy and we can all help lift this burden. The funds are not only to help with funeral costs, but to help Vena and her daughter navigate their new life without Rex. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed. Your donations will not take the pain away but it can help ease some financial stress.