GoFundMe created to help family of man who died from rare form of bone cancer
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - A GoFundMe has been created to help the family of a man who died from a very rare form of bone cancer.
The GoFundMe's organizer said Donovan Manchado passed away on his 27th birthday after battling the cancer for two years.
During his two-year battle, the organizer said Manchado "showed incredible strength as he endured multiple surgeries, including the amputation of his right hand."
The GoFundMe was created to help his family with funeral expenses "as they try to honor Donovan’s memory and navigate this heartbreaking loss," the organizer said.
Fighting cancer is never easy. But for Donovan, he had one thing to deal with the pain: art.
Donovan was diagnosed in late 2024 with a rare type of bone cancer called leiomyosarcoma.
That never stopped him from doing the things he loved.
Even on his bad days, Donovan would always look for the good as he battled cancer.
“We never knew how much pain he was really in. He would deny. His answer was I’m ok, I’ll be alright. He was always doing his best to get up and down the house. He tried to do everything himself. He would do his own dishes. He would do his own clothes. He’d clean up after himself. He never drifted from that," said Jose Lopez Estrada, Donovan's step father.
Prior to his passing, Donovan spent most of his time drawing generating many followers on social media.
Donovan passed away on his 27th birthday as his family got to spend his last day celebrating his life.
“Everybody came and gave him his birthday wishes. And I think he heard us. He can hear us. And he sensed it. It was time to let him go. And I think that was the hardest thing, especially on his birthday," said Shavon Lopez, Donovan's mother.
Donovan was very close to his extended family. His uncle said that Donovan was a fighter that didn’t let anything get in his way.
"Donny was the strongest person in our family. Because he would show you that he can do things that normal people couldn’t. He had one arm, he would show you all the things he could do by himself. ‘No no, I can do it by himself,’ he said. That’s why he’s the strongest person in the family," said RObert Counts, Donovan's uncle.
Donovan’s funeral is on Friday but his impact will last a lifetime in his family and in the community.
“He had so much creativity and my brothers just loved him the way who he was. They dreamed of being successful as he was when he was still around," said Tyler Porter, Donovan's brother.
"Donovan may the force be with you.”
The GoFundMe has a goal of $3,000, with nearly $1,870 raised so far. If anyone is interested in donating to the GoFundMe, click here.
