Tina Lozano Fundraiser - Helping a family in need

This is my sister; her name is Tina Lozano. She will be 50 years old on May 4th. She is the mother of 4 beautiful children—Lexi 22, Belle 18, Christian 12, and Lola 10.

In August of 2021, her world was turned upside down. She hadn’t been feeling well, and after several tests, she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called neuroendocrine tumors.

Unfortunately, my sister was initially treated by a physician who didn’t understand her condition and told her she didn’t have cancer. Imagine thinking you had been spared the evil “C” word but then find out you actually do have cancer and that there isn’t a cure for this cancer. It was devastating when she heard those words.

She has innumerable tumors throughout her body, and they are in her liver, lungs, spine, and bones. The neuroendocrine tumor in her liver is stage 4. She was recently diagnosed with a heart valve issue associated with this type of cancer. She also has a large tumor pressing against her pericardium that could require heart surgery, but she isn’t strong enough to undergo major surgery.

Following her initial disastrous treatment, her care was moved to UCLA to a Neuroendocrine Tumor Specialist (NETS). Her Oncologist told her that her cancer was rare because it had metastasized to her spine and bones. Only 1% of NET’s will metastasize to the spine. The Radiation Oncologist classified her spinal tumor as a High-Grade tumor which means it’s aggressive and actively multiplies. She’s at risk for paralysis due to the number of tumors in the spine (T6 to T9 & L1-L4). It’s believed that her initial tumor started in her lungs.

She was started on a monthly injection of Lanreotide, which we thought was helping, and it has somewhat, but unfortunately, some of her cancerous tumors are more aggressive than others. She needs to begin both chemotherapy and radiation therapy in her spine due to the cancer activity in the spinal column.

Throughout all this, my sister has continued to work. Unfortunately, her husband is disabled, and she has been afraid to stop working. She works in a school cafeteria but doesn’t work enough hours to qualify for FMLA, and based on the school contract, she’s not eligible for CA State Disability. Her physician has told her she can no longer work for many obvious reasons, the aggressive nature of her cancer, the massive amount of weight she has lost, and she's at risk for paralysis due to the spinal tumors.

Her physician recommended that she apply for Social Security Disability. I believe she will qualify for a Compassionate Allowance; however, there is a 6-month waiting period before the benefit is paid, so I’m creating this Go Fund Me Page. In addition, since she works part-time, she will not be eligible for more than $850.00 per month.

I’m her big sister, and it kills me that I can’t make this better for her. My sister doesn’t have much, but what she does have, she would give to you even if she had to go without. She didn’t want me to start this page because she wants to work and support her family, but she can’t. Her body won’t allow it.

The money raised will help her over the six months of no income and compensate for the difference between what she was earning part-time and the SSD if she’s approved. It will also help with the high cost of gas because she must travel from La Habra to UCLA, which is a 39-mile-long drive to get to one way.

Any donation will be appreciated and used to help my sister and her family during this most challenging time in their lives.