The first time I connected with Yovany Jerez, I had a feeling that something special would come from this new friendship. It was October of 2022 when he sent an affirming note in response to one of my LinkedIn posts. That exchange led to a Zoom call weeks later and an ongoing connection that we shared through our shared love of faith, family, and business.

Nick Bezner and I launched Undivided Life just a few months later and found ourselves on a trip to Los Angeles at the beginning of April. Among our many visits that trip, we made sure to carve out time for dinner with Yovanny. The way he lit up when he talked about his wife and kids was magnetic and the work he was doing was exciting as well. We left that trip determined to work with Yovanny when the time was right.

Nine days later his world flipped upside down. His 3.5-year-old son Stephen was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. The story of Stephen’s initial cancer battle is equally heartbreaking and heroic. Throughout 2023 and 2024, the Jerez family experienced a rollercoaster of emotions as they cared for Stephen while raising his older brother Peter and welcoming a new baby boy named James.

Almost exactly one year after Stephen’s diagnosis, my wife and I faced an incredible trial as we learned that our 3-year-old son Benny was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. After praying constantly for Stephen Jerez, it was our turn to be on the receiving end. Often, we would face news that was either too hard to understand or so exciting that we were unsure how to share it, but Yovany walked with me through it all.

At the end of 2024 and the first few months of 2025, we were able to celebrate that both of our boys were listed as “No Evidence of Disease” at the same time. While I felt the prayers and support of so many at that time, there was something very special about sharing these moments with my dear friend Yovany and his understanding as a father in the firestorm.

Yovany reached out at Easter this year to let me know that his family was going to Lourdes for a healing pilgrimage and I was overjoyed – that was the same trip that Amanda and Benny would be on as well. Two days later, the Jerez family had to cancel their trip. Stephen’s cancer had come back strong, and they couldn’t take the trip. Stephen started on chemo once again and the future looked bleak.

He was able to make progress throughout the summer and eventually traveled to see family and visit some Holy sites. At the start of September, the family thought that Stephen was starting to get pneumonia. Unfortunately, the next CT-scan on September 9th revealed that the cancer had exploded throughout his body. The hospital was no longer able to provide any effective treatments, and Stephen was set up for hospice services at home.

The next day Yovany sent a video of Stephen lying on his hospital bed while his baby brother James bounced on him and crawled all over him to give him kisses. It was the most beautiful video I have ever seen.

While the world is busy fighting online about almost everything, I encourage you to take a moment now to think about the Jerez family and offer your prayers for little Stephen, now 5-years-old and still fighting each day.

Two weeks ago, Stephen received three Holy Sacraments at his church in Pasadena, California – Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion. Yovany reflected about that beautiful event by sharing the following:

“During the Mass, I had two distinct reflections revealed:

1. The experience of losing a son will bring me closer to God. I will be able to empathize with my Lord to a greater depth; after all, He knows what it is to give up a son. He knows the injustice and suffering that his Son bore.
2. I was deeply praying that my son’s sacrifice covers and protects all our friends from any future incidence of pediatric cancer. I hope that all of YOU reading this note are fully protected from ever joining The Cancer Club.”

Stephen finished his GoFundMe post with this gut-wrenching and honest message:

“My next update will be the last one. Selfishly speaking, I hope it comes after the new Year.”

When our Benny was battling brain cancer and facing daily sedation and proton radiation, I was the recipient of an untold number of prayers and messages of support. I could feel people praying for us and I loved seeing the nonstop barrage of people storming heaven with their petitions for our family.

Will you join me today in doing the same for the Jerez family? Will you jump online to donate through their GoFundMe page and post a prayer for Stephen or use Yovany’s Venmo account to relieve any financial stress while the family focuses on the needs of their sweet boy?

If you have never been in a moment like this, I can assure you that the prayers and support of a stranger are one of the greatest comforts a family can receive.

Thank you, Stephen Jerez. You inspire me to be a better father, and I am praying for you constantly.