Eddie was diagnosed with Stage 3c Colon Cancer on October 31, 2020, and his cancer metastasized to his liver and lungs in those four years. He had a total of 32 rounds of chemotherapy and participated in over six clinical studies to hopefully find a drug that would hopefully help others and prolong his own life.

Eddie lost his battle with Colon Cancer and passed away on November 6, 2024. The family of Eddie Ortiz wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the START center and especially Dr. Ronald Drengler and Dr. Kyriakos Papadopoulos.

Eddie was a beautiful person with a kind heart. He was always positive and assisted the community with his generosity always participating in all fundraising events.

He worked as a Matre’d at Maggiano's Little Italy for over 20 years in San Antonio and Houston. He assisted in Maggiano’s Make a Wish campaign every year making every child feel special and loved. He has been an advocate for colon cancer screening and has participated in the Get Your Rear in Gear for three years.

His friends and family would like to honor Eddie by walking in his honor and remembrance of his life.

We decided to incorporate his fantasy team name “The Rainbow Warriors” as his 2026 Get Your Rear in Gear team name Rainbow Warrior - Team Eddie Ortiz. Eddie was a true Warrior and fought to the end.  Last year, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our community, we raised over $11,000 far surpassing our goal. We are deeply grateful for every donation, every share, and every step taken in Eddie’s name. Your support made a tremendous impact, and we hope to build on that momentum again this year.

Eddie joined Team Pansa Power in 2022. He read Christina's story, and it resonated with him. During the walk he would learn that he knew two of her sisters. Yes, a very small world. Eddie's family would like to thank Team Pansa Power and especially Christina Cardenas Moreno for their continued love and support during this most difficult time.

Please join us in supporting the Colon Cancer Coalition’s and Rainbow Warrior – Team Eddie Ortiz’s mission to reduce barriers to colorectal cancer screening and educate the public about life saving colorectal cancer screening options. Together, we can make a difference.

Did you know that colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer? 
Only lung cancer kills more Americans each year than colon cancer, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Regular, early screening is essential to catching this disease before it begins and in its earliest stages.

Survival rate is over 90% when caught in early stages.

By donating and sharing my page, you can directly help people that are impacted by colon cancer and help save lives.

Thank you for your support! We are stronger together.