Help Ricky Setapayak Fight Cancer

So, you've just been dealt what seemed to be the most impossible news in the world. The news that you never think you'll receive until you do. You think all your life that it won't happen to your family, but then, out of nowhere, it does. Cancer does not care how old you or your siblings are. Cancer is not fair. Cancer does not discriminate.

My brother Ricky was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma cancer two years ago. My brother fought it with smiles and a positive attitude every day. He battled and never stopped working to get back to “normal”. It was impossible not to be inspired by his worth ethic.

I was so proud of my brother for his recovery and we all thought we were in the clear. Until a few months ago, he was in his car about to drive home and he couldn’t feel his hands or his legs. I rushed him to the ER where the doctor performed a brain biopsy. At this point we found out the news you never want to hear. We found out that his cancer had spread to his brain. As you can imagine, this moment was one of the saddest for our family. We felt at a loss.

My brother is one of a kind in so many ways, he is sweet and kind, he’s an excellent chef for 30 years, he loves life. He always has a smile on his face while working day in and day out. He is a loving husband and a spirited brother. He’s beat this once and we need your help to go through this again.

Even through this hand he has been dealt, my family and friends have never lost our hope, never lost faith. I strongly believe that every person who said a prayer for my brother had a big hand in his first recovery. The journey is long and hard on him but we will fight together! Any bit of your donations helps my brother and goes a long way. We strive to give Ricky the best chance to beat this and that means getting the best treatment possible. We cannot do this without your help.


My piece of advice for you is to love your siblings. This seems so simple that I don't need to mention it, but it is so important. Love them, and treat them like you did before they got sick. They want life to be normal for them just as much as you do. Tell them you love them. Be there for them. Life is precious and family means everything.



Please read below for a kind note from Miss Mimy Indra, a regular customer of my brother Ricky:

This gofundme has been set-up as a token of love, friendship, camaraderie and support for Ricky Setapayak.

If People magazine were to have a Northern Virginia edition for Coolest People Around, Ricky would be on the cover of it! Ricky, or “Ricky Thai Tada”, as most of us have lovingly nicknamed him, is one of the most respected chefs and restaurant owners in the Northern Virginia area. Ricky was the owner and boss of Thai Tada, to his customers, Ricky has always been that-friend-you-can-hang-out-with-all-night. Ricky has served us and our families unforgettable dishes throughout the years, he has brought smiles and laughter to our tables, he has initiated countless friendships and created life-long memories for us, with us and among us. When we needed to escape Herndon, we happily walked straight into his restaurant - right there in Herndon, because we knew that his food was comforting but most of all, his friendship, big smile and from-the-heart hospitality were invigorating.

Today, it's our turn to bring that smile, laughter and comfort to Ricky. As he goes through cancer treatments, let's show him support, love and appreciation. We know that he is the independent type and would never want to burden any of his friends, but this is not a burden, this is just like a group of us  going for dinner at his restaurant, I know that we won't think twice leaving a generous tip for that awesome Crispy Basil Duck or Volcano Shrimp, and of course for his service and  presence.