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Flisha Ramirez is not letting her battle with breast cancer get in the way of living.

Ramirez, 34, was diagnosed with metastatic stage 4 breast cancer earlier this year before the novel coronavirus pandemic hit. She’s undergoing a specific treatment and currently has to travel back and forth to her doctor.

Family and friends have organized a benefit to help with the medical expenses:

• $12 per dozen tamales, pork mild or spicy or chicken mild or spicy
• $12 per quart verde salsa, mild or hot or red salsa, mild or hot
• $10 per quart charro beans
• $10 sweets per pan: espresso brownies, glazed chocolate cake, glazed vanilla cake, glazed lemon cake

Orders are due by July 30. Pick up is Aug. 7 and the location will be agreed upon when placing the order.

Payment options include Cash App, Facebook Pay, Venmo and Paypal.

Place orders with Meaghan Flynn at 409-673-5514, DierDra Bean at 409-673-0928 or Darla Ramirez at 409-626-4157.

About Flisha

Ramirez, of Nederland, went to the hospital with extreme back pain earlier this year. That’s when she learned she had a fractured vertebra and the cancer had metastasized to her back as well as a spot on her lungs.

“At the first word of cancer she decided to go to M.D. Anderson (Cancer Center) because that’s where the top treatment is,” said Meaghan Flynn, Ramirez’ cousin. “She’s been commuting back and forth.”

Ramirez’ type of cancer is being fed by estrogen in her body, so she is being put through menopause early as part of her treatment.

Traveling back and forth for treatments is taking its toll financially, Flynn said, hence the reason for the benefit.

Ramirez is keeping her spirits up in her battle with cancer.

“She’s good, scared, but she’s got a pretty good demeanor about it,” Flynn said. “She’s very positive, and the doctor seems to think this is something we can fight and is treatable. We’re definitely hopeful that she will be able to get through this.”

Flynn is three months younger than her cousin and they grew up with each other.

“She still wants to live her life and she still works,” Flynn said. “She’s not allowing cancer to stop her from doing her daily activities. She’s not one to sit around the house and mope around. She does what her doctor allows her to do.”

Ramirez has long been part of the Mexican Heritage Society of Port Arthur and most recently served as co-chairwoman the Society’s pageant, which is part of the annual Fiesta.

Ramirez and Cassie Esqueda Guy learned Mexican Folkloric dance together as young girls and attended church together and Catholic Youth Organization.

Guy said her longtime friend has always been very involved in the church and the community.

“She’s always one of the first to help out when someone is in need,” Guy said. “I think it’s our turn to return all of the favors she’s done and to help others.”