Ruben Orozco

“Cancer didn’t just change my life; it changed the way I look at life today. I don’t take a single day for granted. I want to use my journey to give hope to someone else who may be facing what I faced.”

In 2021, Ruben Orozco noticed some symptoms in his bowel habits. “At first, it didn’t seem like a big deal, but I decided to get checked out just to be safe.”

He was not expecting what happened next. Following an upper and lower GI procedure, Ruben’s doctors diagnosed him with stage 4 stomach cancer, which had already spread to his liver and lymph nodes. “My first thought was, ‘How much longer do I have to live?’ I immediately thought of my wife Sylvia, and my three boys, Eric, Alex, and Mark. I was scared because I didn’t know what the future was going to look like, but I knew right away that I wasn’t going to give up. I wanted to be here for my family.”

Ruben began an aggressive treatment plan that included chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and he focused on eating healthier and exercising. “There were days filled with fear, uncertainty, and physical challenges,” he says. “But through every treatment, every scan, and every setback, I kept my eyes focused on one goal: survival.” He says the tough days were some of the hardest of his life. “Sylvia has been my rock, my best friend, and my caregiver; she never let me feel like I was fighting this battle alone. All the support I received from friends and family gave me strength when I felt I had nothing left and my faith gave me a reason to keep fighting.”

He stands up for his wife, sons, and his parents, who both passed away from cancer. “This journey has been especially personal because my mother passed away from stomach cancer,” he says. “Knowing what she went through made my own diagnosis even more emotional. It also showed me how important awareness and early detection truly are.” Because of this family history, Ruben’s three sons were tested for genetic predisposition to stomach cancer, and their results came back negative. “Even so, I encourage them and everyone else to stay proactive about their health,” Ruben adds. “Cancer doesn’t always show clear warning signs early.”

Today Ruben is cancer-free. He calls the day his PET scans showed no evidence of disease the greatest day of his life. “When I was first diagnosed, that outcome felt almost impossible. But through my faith, determination, medical treatment, and the support of so many people around me, I reached a milestone I will never take for granted.”

Ruben believes strongly in the importance of cancer research because of his own experience. “When I was diagnosed, surgery was not an option for me,” he explains. “Treatment and research gave me a chance to keep fighting and to see another day. Research can lead to better treatment, early detection, and new ways to monitor patients. While cancer has been part of my story, it does not define who I am. I am living proof that treatments can work and that a stage 4 diagnosis does not mean it’s over.”

Stand Up To Cancer raises awareness and funds research to detect and treat cancers with the aspiration to cure all patients. Find out how you can get involved.