Help Eric & Natalie Beat Cancer

Help Eric & Natalie Beat Urgent Cancer Recurrence

(Never-Smoker with EGFR Lung Cancer Metastasis)

What these funds will provide for Eric and Natalie:

Eric Ruiz is an extremely kind, creative, intelligent, and loving person. Having never smoked,

and otherwise being in perfect health, he was shockingly diagnosed with Lung Cancer in the

midst of the pandemic. After extensive treatment, he has been living NED (No Evidence of

Disease) since Feb. 2022. Devastatingly, he and his wife Natalie's lives have come to a screeching halt following the receipt of recent test results. Not only has the cancer returned but it is aggressive. Eric and Natalie are once again in the fight for his life and this time they truly need your help.

Eric is known around the cancer center for engaging with other patients. He inspires them, listens to them, and encourages them. He is truly a ray of sunshine even on a cloudy day. Even if it’s HIS cloudy day, he’s always trying to make others smile. That’s the Director and Teacher in him, motivating others. Now, he really needs some sunshine himself.

The good news is, there is a treatment plan available that only a YEAR ago would not have

been offered to him. Eric's oncology team has stressed the importance of him receiving this

specific treatment plan which is out-of-town and away from his usual cancer center. The treatment is considered out-of-network by insurance, meaning the couple are facing tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills alone. Eric has already started this treatment and, during this time, he and Natalie have been living in a hotel near the treatment center.

Some of the greatest joys of Eric’s life have come from his roles as a Film Director and as a

Teacher. This year alone he has taught hundreds of students, from Kindergarten to adults,

different aspects of Drone Technology and Cinematography. Students rave about how kind,

patient, encouraging, and enthusiastic he is. He’s helped so many students when they were feeling low to rise above their challenges and now, it’s time we help him rise above his.

He is losing work and his wife is working around the clock to help him through all of the

challenges this process entails. They need help, not just with the medical bills but with adapting

their home space to make it safer for him, transportation costs, loss of work, food delivery

services, medications or supplies not covered by insurance, etc. As Natalie faces this role (and

honor) of caring for Eric, the reduction of financial burden will mean she will be more able to

focus on helping and loving him through this challenging time.

There is real hope here, and Eric is his own statistic. He is determined and NOT giving up

despite the sudden toll this has taken on every aspect of his life and body. The world needs

more of Eric in it and if we thought he was inspiring before, we can’t wait to see what he

has in store for us next.

It is very humbling and out of character for this couple to ask for help, and it is an absolute

necessity. They will pay it forward. Eric personally wants to say thank you to each and every one

of you. No matter the amount, any help you can provide will be GREATLY appreciated and

will make a difference!