An Army veteran who is in the hospital with Stage 4 testicular cancer had his home burgled by thieves who made off with money, Christmas presents, a car, documents, and his chemotherapy medication.
Adrian Ortega, 24, underwent a lengthy surgery on Monday at Kaiser Permanente Zion Medical Center in San Diego to combat the spread of cancer in his body.
His wife, Jessica Tolentino, who is currently pregnant with their third child, was at his bedside in the intensive care unit while their other two children were staying with relatives.
On Thursday, the couple was told that their home in Mountain View, California was burglarized, KFMB-TV reported.
Adrian Ortega, 24, underwent a lengthy surgery on Monday at Kaiser Permanente Zion Medical Center in San Diego to combat the spread of cancer in his body
His wife, Jessica Tolentino, who is currently pregnant with their third child, was at his bedside in the intensive care unit while their other two children were staying with relatives
On Thursday, the couple was told that their home in Mountain View, California was burglarized
‘To come home and it’s all gone. I know that stuff is replaceable, but he has worked so hard,’ said Tolentino.
She said her husband’s car, a 2006 Acura RSX Matte Grey, was stolen.
‘Everything is crumbling and then you know, making the payment was hard enough,’ Tolentino said.
‘We saved every nickel and dime and it’s gone.’
The burglars took diapers, clothing, and Christmas presents.
‘They took our social security cards, both birth certificates, personal papers,’ she said.
On Saturday, Chopper the Biker Dog, a nine-year-old Boston Terrier, paid a visit to Ortega. Heartwarming images show Ortega being comforted by Chopper
Relatives started a GoFundMe campaign to help the family with their expenses. The crowdfunding effort, which aims to raise $25,000, has so far brought in $13,525
‘They took our kids’ toys. Who does that? Our babies are left with nothing. It’s hard as it is now.’
Tolentino is due to give birth next month.
As if being robbed while sick with cancer wasn’t cruel enough, Ortega’s chemotherapy medicine was also stolen, as were his Army badges.
Ortega was medically discharged from the military after he broke his pelvis.
‘It sucks that people are out there that don’t care,’ said Tolentino.
Ortega’s grandmother, Rose Hernandez, said: ‘It is devastating to us dealing with this and this breaks my heart.
‘They have to deal with this this time of year.’
Tolentino said the family with fight on. Ortega plans on beating his illness. They plan on naming their baby daughter Lovely.
Relatives started a GoFundMe campaign to help the family with their expenses.
The crowdfunding effort, which aims to raise $25,000, has so far brought in $13,525.
On Saturday, Chopper the Biker Dog, a nine-year-old Boston Terrier, paid a visit to Ortega.
Heartwarming images show Ortega being comforted by Chopper, whose owner first heard about the devastating story while watching the news.