Los Angeles, CA — They say it takes a village to raise a child — and for 13-year-old Ricky, it’s taken an army of angels, doctors, clinics, and selfless supporters to help him rise from the ashes of unimaginable hardship.
In 2022, Ricky was diagnosed with leukemia for the second time in his young life. Having already undergone chemotherapy as a child, his body was no longer responding to traditional treatments. But thanks to the dedicated team at Children's Hospital of Orange County and the groundbreaking use of CAR T-cell therapy, Ricky achieved complete remission. The leukemia was gone — his body was clear.
But that moment of relief quickly spiraled into something far more devastating.
Despite the success of CAR T-cell therapy and no evidence of disease, doctors proceeded with a bone marrow transplant. It was a decision that would change Ricky’s life forever. His body rejected the transplant, triggering Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) — a painful, chronic condition that causes the immune system to attack the body. Slowly, Ricky lost the ability to move, eat, and even gain weight. At just 13 years old, he was paralyzed and weighing only 41 pounds.
What followed was a heartbreaking series of events. When Children’s Hospital could no longer offer a path forward, they referred Ricky's parents elsewhere — as if washing their hands of the responsibility. Traditional medications were failing, and Ricky’s doctor dismissed the recently approved stem cell treatments simply because insurance wouldn’t cover them — leaving Ricky in limbo.
But when all hope seemed lost, a door opened.
Enter Forgotten Formula PMA: The Turning Point
Ricky’s family connected with Forgotten Formula PMA, a network of passionate medical professionals and wellness experts committed to pushing boundaries in alternative and regenerative care. Through them, a new world opened up — one that embraced stem cells, exosomes, peptides, and holistic healing.
Ricky’s first stop: Holtorf Medical Group in El Segundo, California — founded by Dr. Kent Holtorf, M.D., a pioneer in treating complex conditions through innovative, root-cause medicine. There, Ricky began a personalized protocol that included stem cell therapy, peptides, and nutrient supplementation, aimed at healing from the inside out.
The results were nothing short of miraculous. His darkened, toxic skin began to clear. He regained the ability to eat. His energy lifted. And he began gaining weight again — a vital sign of life returning to his fragile body.
Ricky’s healing continued in Frisco, Texas, where he visited the warmhearted team at Well Within, and then to Tijuana, Mexico, under the care of the extraordinary Dr. Suye Suenaga, a leader in regenerative and stem cell medicine. Dr. Suenaga administered advanced IV therapies, stem cells, hyperbaric chamber sessions, and ozone therapy to restore Ricky’s immune system and vitality.
More Than Medicine: A Community of Heart
Ricky’s recovery has not just been physical — it’s been emotional and deeply human. Alongside these medical angels, organizations like Baller Dream Foundation, founded by Frank DeBlasi, have stepped in to lift Ricky’s spirits.
Baller Dreams has taken Ricky on once-in-a-lifetime outings — including a private meet-and-greet with the Savannah Bananas baseball team (with pizza waiting just for him), all organized by Ricky’s Baller Dreams rep, Breylin Salmon. For a young man stuck in hospitals for years, these moments of laughter and joy are just as powerful as the treatments themselves.
His favorite pizza restaurants — La Verne Pizza Co and Treasure Coast — created a special mini pizza just for Ricky. And whenever he visits, the owners have his favorite candy — Joyride Cherry Berry Ropes — waiting behind the counter just for him.
Hope Isn’t Just a Word — It’s a Community in Action
The hope is real. Ricky’s goal is to regain movement, walk again, and return to life as a normal teenager. A devoted anime and Godzilla fan, his greatest wish — granted through Baller Dream Foundation — is to visit Japan once he’s able to walk. That dream now serves as a powerful motivator, reminding him daily that healing is possible and his journey is far from over.
And with the unwavering love of his family, the dedication of his doctors, the kindness of strangers, and support from people like you — that goal is within reach.
You can help Ricky continue this life-saving journey. Donations go directly to funding ongoing treatments, travel to specialists, and therapies not covered by insurance. Every dollar counts. Every share matters.
Support Ricky’s Recovery Here:
https://www.spotfund.com/story/64df0fc3-4997-472b-a839-ce7a23f44f02
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Because healing takes more than medicine — it takes a movement.
Photos of Ricky’s Journey
Ricky with the compassionate medical team at Holistic Care Clinic in Tijuana, Mexico.
Ricky receiving a special pizza from the Savannah Bananas during a surprise outing organized by Baller Dreams Foundation.
