RICHARD HERNANDEZ

www.richardsbattle.com

In 2005, Richard Hernandez joined the United States Marine Corps. During his four years of service, he deployed to two tours in Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Now two years later, at 28 years old, CPL Hernandez is getting ready for another battle. This time the enemy is cancer, testicular cancer.

In Richard’s own words, “I must prepare for my third deployment. An enemy has invaded my body and I must prepare for war.” Being a U.S. Marine, he is drawing from his military experience to prepare mentally, physically and spiritually.

CPL Hernandez had chemo treatments September 26 thru November 25, 2011. This treatment will not only affect their family physically and emotionally but will be a financial burden. To include:

 - Chemo Therapy Treatments
 - Naturopathic Medicine Treatments
 - Vitamin Infusions
 - Child Birth and Maternity leave

We are here to support Richard so he can win this battle and asking that you too will consider supporting Richard. Please visit www.RICHARDSBATTLE.com to find out how you can help.

TESTICULAR CANCER AWARENESS

Testicular cancer: the most common cancer to hit men between the ages of 15-35

Richard hopes to spread the word so other men can detect testicular cancer sooner. “If I get one person to go to the doctor one week sooner, then I’ll be happy.” Richard said.

- Symptoms to look for:

- Lump, swelling, or enlargement in the testicle

- Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum

- An ache in the lower abdomen, back or groin

Please note you do NOT have to have ALL these symptons. Richard had no pain or discomfort. It is important to check for any signs of testicular cancer regularly.

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Small Photo Gallery:

CPL Hernandez and wife, Stephanie, 2007 U.S. Marine Corps Ball, Honolulu, Hawaii

Keith Hernandez (on left) and Richard in the green zone Kuwait in late 2006. They were extremely fortunate to cross paths in Kuwait when Keith's unit 2/4 was coming out of Iraq which was being replaced by Richard's unit 1/3. "We got to spend a couple of days hanging out."

Richard Standing SOG "Sergeant of the Guard" at a small combat out post that my platoon was running patrols out of near the city of Karmah in Iraq.

Bravo Company, 1st Platoon 3rd squad getting ready to gear up for a mounted security patrol while on deployment in Iraq in early 2009.

Richard receiving chemo-therapy!

Mariah Carey - "Hero"

There's a hero,
If you look inside your heart,
You don't have to be afraid of what you are,
There's an answer,
If you reach into your soul,
And the sorrow that you know will melt away.

[chorus]
And then a hero comes along,
With the strength to carry on,
And you cast your fears aside and you know you can survive,
So when you feel like hope is gone,
Look inside you and be strong,
And you'll finally see the truth that a hero lies in you.

It's a long road,
When you face the world alone,
No one reaches out a hand for you to hold,
You can find love,
If you search within yourself,
And the emptiness you felt will disappear.

[chorus]

Lord knows,
Dreams are hard to follow,
But don't let anyone tear them away,
Hold on,
There will be tomorrow,
In time you'll find the way.

[chorus]

That a hero lies in.....you______
Ooohh that a hero lies in.....you_____________