For many the loss of my father's life was a complete and unexpected shock. As he was never a person to back down, ever complain, or put his needs before his family’s and his loved ones. My dad courageously fought non-small cell lung cancer for the last 4 1/2 years of his life. My dad was in the unfortunate 10 percent who develop lung cancer having never smoked. He was stage 4 at his diagnosis and yet God, with the help of my father's unwavering courage and resilience, granted us a wonderful and unforgettable 4 1/2 years more. In that time he proudly saw my twin sisters (Analissa and Priscilla) graduate from high school with honors, he lovingly celebrated and witnessed his family tree grow with my two pregnancies, he got his wish granted to become an “abuelito” and met his first two grandchildren that he adored (Alexis and Marcelo), he happily traveled to many places with my mother (Mary Ramirez) who was the love of his life, he joyfully attended many family and friend’s parties, graduations, and celebrations. And was blessed to be present at many beautiful family weddings near and far.  My father wholeheartedly enjoyed and cherished every moment with family and friends with immense love and hope for many more years. It was with the help of incredible advancements in medicine and research that allowed us that precious extra time.  This year as a birthday wish I would love to honor my amazing father, Ramiro Ramirez, who always gave of himself with unconditional love, courage, and generosity.  If you would like I would love for those that knew him, that know me or any of my family to please donate to the research and advancement of lung cancer treatments in his honor.  So that a spouse can continue loving the love of their life until their last days, so more grandchildren can get to know their loving grandparents, so more daughters can make sure that they can have their loving fathers be there for them, so more family members and friends can continue to celebrate special occasions with them, just how it is really meant to be.