Juan Rosario, a Black Catholic former Detroiter currently fighting cancer in his native Dominican Republic, is raising funds for his medical journey and the support of his family.
A recent prognosis has given him just months to live, even as he raises his young sister following the death of his mother in 2022.
“Juan was diagnosed [with] stage 3 acute myeloid leukemia,” reads a fundraiser description posted this summer by a close friend, Yanet Gonzales.
“His cancer is exacerbated by a pre-existing condition and unfortunately his insurance does not cover all that he currently needs for care..”
Please considering donating to help him fightLeukemia. https://t.co/kPNsa3CfBa
— Paul (@GloryOfTheCedar) June 26, 2024
The 25-year-old member of the Benedictine Oblates immigrated to the United States in 2010 from his hometown of Santiago de Los Caballeros in the Northern DR. Rosario was born there to a Puerto Rican mother and Dominican father.
In Detroit Rosario has worked in various aspects of the Church, including Latino, Black Catholic, youth, and LGBTQ+ ministry. His work has also extended into the realm of fighting human trafficking, a notable scourge in his native country. He became an oblate with St. Vincent’s Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
Since 2022, Rosario has cared for his two younger siblings after his mother’s death from a drug overdose. While his younger brother recently turned 18, Rosario’s nine-year-old sister remains in his custody in the Caribbean.
Rosario was first diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in May, with the disease quickly progressing to stage 3. Following his diagnosis, he returned to the DR, where he has continued to receive treatment. The rare form of blood cancer has a survival rate of just under 30%.
“In the case of my death, my sister will unfortunately possibly be orphaned unless some legal way is made, which is almost impossible, because she's not of a Dominican parent,” Rosario told BCM this month. “She only has me.”
Rosario also noted that his health insurance in the Dominican Republic does not cover chemotherapy, which is essential to his medical battle. His leukemia progressed to stage four in October.
“On behalf of our dear Juan we ask you to please consider donating to help cover costs of his treatments, home care and needs of his younger sister,” said Gonzales on Rosario’s fundraiser, which has raised more than $28,000 out of a $50,000 goal as of Monday morning.
Rosario has asked that the fundraiser be shared far and wide, and that those able to contribute make a donation. He also requests prayers for his recovery.
Nate Tinner-Williams is co-founder and editor of Black Catholic Messenger.
