Let's help Lucia Cordúa show Cancer to the door!
Donation protected
I'm launching this campaign on behalf of my dear friend Lucia Cordúa and to help my unofficial Houston & Nicaraga family the Cordúas, while Lucia is undergoing treatment for Breast Cancer—specifically Infiltrating Duct Carcinoma—at MD Anderson.
As part of a small local media publication, I've never publicly asked for contributions for others outside of that platform. I didn't see it as my role. But my love for Lucia and the Cordúa family is great and their immense local value to Houston is without question. Like countless Houstonians (and many beyond our city), I love these good people and want to help.
Lucia, her chef husband Michael Cordúa, and their chef son David Cordúa (& Michael's business partner) were some of the very first people to make me feel like Houston was my home and that I belonged here. Their embracing hospitality was genuine, but it's far from unique to me. They have been doing that in Houston for more than 30 years, deflecting and humbly acknowledging accolades, while continuing to serve, give back to, and help enhance our city.
While Michael and David generally get the spotlight, people who know the family understand that it's Lucia's fire, kindness, warm heart, and open mind that are at the core of their family's values, organizations, and actions.
About Lucia
In addition to her role as mother of 4 and grandmother to 5, Lucia is a licensed Acupuncturist and Oriental Medicine Diplomate. She currently cares for and treats many patients around Houston and in College Station.
She specializes in all varieties of physical pain, menopause discomforts, and facial acupuncture. She takes an active role in providing care and assistance for her clients. In her acupuncture practice, she believes balancing helps everyone attain happiness and health.
She's also a great deal of fun to be around. She always has a keen observation, a caring ear, and a flair for hospitality.
Lucia's Diagnosis & Treatment
True to form (and surprising no one who knows her), Lucia has responded to the diagnosis and current treatment with strength, grace and a determined, positive outlook. Treatments naturally take their toll, but Lucia's spirits and focus are in the right place and her doctors are optimistic about the anticipated results.
However, her doctors at MD Anderson have recommended an aggressive chemotherapy treatment to begin in January, which will last for six months. During this period, her ability to tend to her own patients will be significantly diminished as she rests and gives her body a chance to regain its health.
Houston & The Cordúa Family
Lucia and her husband Michael opened Houston's first Central American restaurant in 1988, and in their 30+ years continuously contributed to and supported the Greater Houston community and its nonprofit organizations. As their son David grew up and became a local chef himself, he also became a important supporter of Houston in his own right.
The family has been an active supporter of St. Thomas University, The Houston Zoo, Houston Food Bank, Strake Jesuit, Casa de Esperanza, American Leadership Forum, Casa Juan Diego, Save our ER, Children at Risk-Houston, Community Foundation, Duschene Academy, and more.
The Cordúas have served on boards, helped to raise money, given their time, and prompted others to contribute as well.
The Financial Need
While supported by health insurance, the affiliated medical bills and associated costs remain daunting and continue to add up.
Every dollar raised, minus GoFundMe's small transaction fee, will go directly to helping cover Lucia's medical bills, lost income from recovery, and related expenses.
I initially set this fundraising goal at $5,000, based on GoFundMe's best practices recommendations, but we're all pleased to see that the amount raised has far surpassed it. Every dollar is needed.
Consistent with GoFundMe's recommendations, I have continued to raise the goal as the donations grow. This is my decision to help my friends and is not coming from them. Like anyone facing cancer treatment, their actual need is significantly and substantially higher and is not going away.
Anything you are able to commit is sincerely and humbly appreciated.
Both the Cordúa family and myself will reach out directly to thank you for your generosity and support. None of us expect it and all of us are ridiculously grateful for what has been shared to date.
Your Support
I'm asking you to help support this family, one of Houston's key culinary legacies and community supporters, in whatever way you're able as they battle and face off against Cancer and the high costs of medical care.
Anything you have to offer Lucia—including love, kind words, and encouragement—is humbly appreciated by my dear friends in the Cordúa family and by myself on their behalf.
Thank you for taking the time, consideration, and energy to consider this request.
With much gratitude and respect,
Chip Rankin
365Houston.com
Photo credit: Phaedra Cook, founder of Houston Food Finder . Top photo courtesy of the Cordúa family.
As part of a small local media publication, I've never publicly asked for contributions for others outside of that platform. I didn't see it as my role. But my love for Lucia and the Cordúa family is great and their immense local value to Houston is without question. Like countless Houstonians (and many beyond our city), I love these good people and want to help.
Lucia, her chef husband Michael Cordúa, and their chef son David Cordúa (& Michael's business partner) were some of the very first people to make me feel like Houston was my home and that I belonged here. Their embracing hospitality was genuine, but it's far from unique to me. They have been doing that in Houston for more than 30 years, deflecting and humbly acknowledging accolades, while continuing to serve, give back to, and help enhance our city.
While Michael and David generally get the spotlight, people who know the family understand that it's Lucia's fire, kindness, warm heart, and open mind that are at the core of their family's values, organizations, and actions.
About Lucia
In addition to her role as mother of 4 and grandmother to 5, Lucia is a licensed Acupuncturist and Oriental Medicine Diplomate. She currently cares for and treats many patients around Houston and in College Station.
She specializes in all varieties of physical pain, menopause discomforts, and facial acupuncture. She takes an active role in providing care and assistance for her clients. In her acupuncture practice, she believes balancing helps everyone attain happiness and health.
She's also a great deal of fun to be around. She always has a keen observation, a caring ear, and a flair for hospitality.
Lucia's Diagnosis & Treatment
True to form (and surprising no one who knows her), Lucia has responded to the diagnosis and current treatment with strength, grace and a determined, positive outlook. Treatments naturally take their toll, but Lucia's spirits and focus are in the right place and her doctors are optimistic about the anticipated results.
However, her doctors at MD Anderson have recommended an aggressive chemotherapy treatment to begin in January, which will last for six months. During this period, her ability to tend to her own patients will be significantly diminished as she rests and gives her body a chance to regain its health.
Houston & The Cordúa Family
Lucia and her husband Michael opened Houston's first Central American restaurant in 1988, and in their 30+ years continuously contributed to and supported the Greater Houston community and its nonprofit organizations. As their son David grew up and became a local chef himself, he also became a important supporter of Houston in his own right.
The family has been an active supporter of St. Thomas University, The Houston Zoo, Houston Food Bank, Strake Jesuit, Casa de Esperanza, American Leadership Forum, Casa Juan Diego, Save our ER, Children at Risk-Houston, Community Foundation, Duschene Academy, and more.
The Cordúas have served on boards, helped to raise money, given their time, and prompted others to contribute as well.
The Financial Need
While supported by health insurance, the affiliated medical bills and associated costs remain daunting and continue to add up.
Every dollar raised, minus GoFundMe's small transaction fee, will go directly to helping cover Lucia's medical bills, lost income from recovery, and related expenses.
I initially set this fundraising goal at $5,000, based on GoFundMe's best practices recommendations, but we're all pleased to see that the amount raised has far surpassed it. Every dollar is needed.
Consistent with GoFundMe's recommendations, I have continued to raise the goal as the donations grow. This is my decision to help my friends and is not coming from them. Like anyone facing cancer treatment, their actual need is significantly and substantially higher and is not going away.
Anything you are able to commit is sincerely and humbly appreciated.
Both the Cordúa family and myself will reach out directly to thank you for your generosity and support. None of us expect it and all of us are ridiculously grateful for what has been shared to date.
Your Support
I'm asking you to help support this family, one of Houston's key culinary legacies and community supporters, in whatever way you're able as they battle and face off against Cancer and the high costs of medical care.
Anything you have to offer Lucia—including love, kind words, and encouragement—is humbly appreciated by my dear friends in the Cordúa family and by myself on their behalf.
Thank you for taking the time, consideration, and energy to consider this request.
With much gratitude and respect,
Chip Rankin
365Houston.com
Photo credit: Phaedra Cook, founder of Houston Food Finder . Top photo courtesy of the Cordúa family.
Co-organizers (3)
Chip Rankin
Organizer
Houston, TX
Lucia Cordúa
Beneficiary
Michael Cordúa
Co-organizer
David Cordua
Co-organizer