72-Year-Old Beats Two Cancers, Still BBQing for Family

Gilbert Rea thought he was having a heart attack in his Orcutt backyard on a sunny autumn day in 2010, but the diagnosis turned out to be chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He was only in his mid-50s.

Blood tests revealed his red blood cells were being destroyed, forcing his heart to work overtime to get oxygen through his body. Under Dr. April Kennedy's care at Mission Hope Cancer Center, Rea completed three rounds of chemotherapy before moving to targeted therapy that stopped cancer cells from multiplying.

For over a decade, the treatment worked. Rea kept his weekend tradition alive, hosting all-day BBQ gatherings with tri-tip, chicken, ribs, and pinquito beans for family and friends every football Sunday.

Then in 2024, stomach pains revealed stage 4 stomach cancer. Doctors had to stop his leukemia treatment to make room for chemotherapy, but after two rounds, his blood counts weren't cooperating.

On Halloween 2024, surgeons removed Rea's entire stomach, connecting his esophagus directly to his intestine. Remarkably, he now eats more than before the surgery, grazing on smaller meals throughout the day with no food restrictions.

Two years later, the 72-year-old is in remission from both cancers. He receives monthly immunotherapy infusions and hasn't needed to restart the cancer pills.

Rea didn't let cancer stop him from working either. He found purpose at V. Lopez & Sons, overseeing equipment and coordinating maintenance—calling it his therapy after working in the oil fields for over 40 years.

Sunny's Take

What keeps Rea going is simple: four generations of family, including two great-grandchildren. Those game day BBQ gatherings mean more than ever, filled with children, grandchildren, and the people who've supported him through nearly 15 years of treatment.

His employer gives him the flexibility to attend appointments or rest when needed. His coworkers tell him to sit down when he looks tired.

And Dr. Kennedy, who's known him since day one at Mission Hope Cancer Center in 2012, stays on top of every detail of his care. Rea credits her with saving his life.

Now serving as Mission Hope's 2026 Day of Hope Santa Maria Ambassador, Rea has a message for others facing cancer: "If I can just give one person a little more hope about what they're going through, I'd like that. I've got my family and I'm going to fight this 'til I can no longer do it."

He's still showing up to work, still firing up the BBQ pit, and still proving that cancer doesn't get the final word.