José Antonio Patiño deserves your help
Our friend José is a man whose default facial expression is a wide, toothy smile and sparkling eyes. His personality makes everyone feel at home with him wherever they are. On January 8, 2026, after enduring intense back pain throughout the Christmas holidays, José received the devastating diagnosis of an extremely rare cancer of the parotid (salivary) gland. The cancer had already metastasized to his spine. Rare cancer + bone metastasis = very alarming news and a serious prognosis. We ask for your help to ease the burden on José and his family and ensure that his radiant smile continues to share his generosity with the world.
For the past two decades, José and Marianela have dedicated their lives to raising two lively, talented and respectful young men. Now, as they stand on the threshold of adulthood—finishing high school and navigating their sophomore year of college—they need their father more than ever to support them, guide them, and enjoy their launch into adulthood with them.
José is a man who embodies healthy habits. He takes exercise and nutrition very seriously, and thanks to his frequent visits to the gym, has successfully resisted looking his age. A cynical person might see his diagnosis and think, “Why bother working so hard for my health if I could end up with stage four parotid gland cancer?” But the reality is that José has a good chance of beating this disease precisely because his body is strong. The only thing missing from the recipe for success is the financial resources to supplement his limited health insurance and cover the multiple monthly trips between Bloomington and Chicago.
Our goal is to raise $200,000, and we offer several ways to contribute. You can visit our page on freefunder.com, our needs list on Amazon, or donate through Venmo and Zelle.
On this website, you will find details about José’s medical condition, updates on his progress, and, from time to time, some brags about his children. Please share this site widely with your networks to increase his chances and help him win this battle against cancer.
Medical Background
José Antonio developed low back pain in October 2025, which persisted despite conservative treatment with pain medication. Subsequently, he underwent an MRI of the lumbar spine, revealing abnormalities in the bones of the lower spine. Further imaging studies, including a PET scan, demonstrated that these abnormalities were indicative of a cancer that had metastasized to several bones and some lymph nodes in the neck.
On January 7, 2026, José Antonio was evaluated at the University of Chicago Medicine. On January 13, 2026, he underwent a needle biopsy of the parotid mass, which confirmed a poorly differentiated carcinoma of the parotid gland. This type of salivary gland cancer is an aggressive type of cancer characterized by abnormal cell appearance and rapid growth and spread.
The cancer was classified as HER2-positive, meaning it has a high level of HER2 protein. This classification is significant because HER2-positive cancers are targeted with specific treatments designed to address this protein. Additionally, the cancer was PD-L1-negative, indicating a reduced likelihood of responding to certain immunotherapy drugs.
The cancer is advanced and has metastasized to stage IV. At this stage, treatment typically focuses on controlling the cancer, slowing or stopping its growth, reducing symptoms such as bone pain, and maintaining quality of life.
It is important to note that the HER2-positive classification provides a clear treatment target, which is beneficial in planning therapy. José Antonio has completed the first cycle of radiation treatment and is initiating chemotherapy.
José Antonio commenced treatment promptly and completed ten sessions of Radiation Therapy at OSF St Joséph Medical Center in Bloomington, Illinois, on February 4, 2026. He also initiated his first cycle of chemotherapy at the University of Chicago Medicine on February 6, 2026, with the intention of maintaining ongoing surveillance and treatment throughout his life.
Given his overall favorable health status, José Antonio has demonstrated a positive and goal-oriented attitude throughout this initial stage of treatment.
Contact Us
Have questions or want to send a word of support to José and his family? We'd love to hear from you.
Phone: 309-706-3633
Email: Japm9442@hotmail.com