Yard Sale Benefits Young Man With Cancer

Profits from a yard sale in East El Paso will help comfort a young man with cancer and his family.

This past week, Virginia Marrufo found out her son’s cancer was terminal.

“He says, ‘I’m not afraid to die. If it has to happen then it has to happen but i just want to make sure that everybody’s gonna be OK,'” said Virginia. “So his first thought was for everybody besides himself.”

Last fall, doctors told Virginia that her son Ramon’s cancer was in remission. But only a few days ago she found out the cancer is back and this time, the doctors won’t be able to remove it. Right now, the only thing she can do is take Ramon home and make him comfortable.

“Regardless of whatever just make him comfortable and not have to be inconvenienced by anything,” said Virginia.

Cancer left Ramon partially blind and paraplegic. It’s difficult for Virginia to cover his medical expenses with her salary, so her co-workers at the Texas Gas Company decided to hold a yard sale at a friends house in East El Paso to help with some of the home care costs.

“For me this is my family outside my home,” insisted Virginia. “We’re all family. We’re very united in whatever happens to anyone in our work. I’m very blessed.”

The Marrufo family has a powerful force to combat the diagnosis. For Virginia and her son, laughter is the best medicine.

“We’re gonna be smiling until the end. We’re not gonna cry, we’re gonna laugh. He’s a comedian at heart,” admitted Virginia. “People say maybe he doesn’t wanna laugh but I say, ‘No, he does’. He says, ‘Mom I’ve laughed all my life, why am I going to stop now?'”

According to Ramon, laughter is a way for his family to pull through this deeply troubled time. “(Humor has) helped me ultimately. It’s the only thing that’s getting us through almost,” said Ramon.

Ramon said he won’t let his diagnosis keep him from going to school, cracking jokes, or making those around him smile.

If you would like to donate to Ramon please call: 915-694-7084.