Dad Has Terminal Cancer. Mom Has Cancer for the Second Time: ‘What Happens to the Girls If We Both Go?’

**California Parents Face Heartbreaking Struggles as Cancer Strikes Twice**

In a distressing turn of events, Zak and Cori Salazar, parents to three young daughters, are grappling with the profound challenges of battling cancer while also preparing their children for an uncertain future. Both residents of Mission Viejo, California, the couple’s lives took a devastating twist when they both received alarming cancer diagnoses.

In 2023, Cori, aged 40, faced her own battle against an aggressive form of thyroid cancer. She underwent immediate treatment and had a critical surgery in June to remove a tumour. Barely weeks later, their world turned bleak when Zak, also 40, found himself receiving a life-altering diagnosis. After a routine eye examination revealed swollen optic nerves, he was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive and incurable brain cancer accompanied by an 8-centimetre tumour.

Zak, speaking to ABC-7, poignantly articulated the gravity of their circumstances, saying, “Glioblastoma is just about the worst cancer you can get. It’s essentially a death sentence. The responsible thing to do as parents is to prepare for the worst.” As part of his treatment, Zak underwent surgery and chemotherapy, initially stabilising his condition.

However, as they were navigating this unimaginable experience, more difficult news awaited the family. In February 2025, a test for kidney stones inadvertently revealed a precancerous growth on Cori’s pancreas. This shocking discovery necessitated further surgery, where the doctors removed her spleen and part of her pancreas. Concerned for their daughters—Juniper, aged 6, Delaney, aged 4, and Luna, aged 3—Cori shared her fears, stating, “The thought of me not being around for them, or both of us not being around for them, was really scary.”

As the year progressed, Zak’s struggle continued. In November, an MRI revealed new tumour growths on his brain, prompting yet another round of chemotherapy. “Sure enough, the doctor was like, ‘I’m pretty worried about this spot. I want you to start on chemo right away,’” recalled Zak. He understands the harsh reality of his diagnosis, asserting, “In the glioblastoma community, we will never be cancer-free, because the diagnosis is terminal. It’s a chronic cancer.”

Amidst these harrowing circumstances, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help the Salazar family manage both their medical and everyday expenses. Friends and community members rallied to assist them as “balancing both health journeys, parenting, and daily life has been overwhelming at times.”

In an effort to prepare their daughters for the future, Cori and Zak are focusing on compassionate and thoughtful approaches to discussing grief and loss. They have begun to read books aimed at assisting children in processing such difficult emotions. Cori emphasised the importance of these resources, saying, “It really gives them the tools to move through these hard times, you know, in these difficult situations.”

The couple is also crafting letters for their daughters that Zak will leave behind, covering pivotal milestones. These include guidance for their first heartbreak and words for their Sweet 16 birthday. Cori expressed her deep concern over the possibility of Zak missing these momentous occasions, saying, “I hate to think that he wouldn’t be there for that. We hope that he is.”

Interestingly, some glimmers of hope have emerged amid the ongoing trials. Following a recent MRI, Zak learned that a concerning spot on his brain was, in fact, harmless, meaning he would not require chemotherapy at this stage. Despite the uncertainty that looms over them, both parents are committed to living in the present.

Cori succinctly stated their mantra: “That’s what we have is just like, right here, right now.” To which Zak echoed, “Yep, we have today.” The Salazars’ resilience amidst adversity illustrates their unwavering dedication to each other and their family, igniting hope and solidarity within their community.

As they continue to face each day together, the Salazars remain a poignant reminder of the strength found in familial bonds amid life’s unpredictability.