Big Frank — Former ’Hound and current UTRGV Vaquero, Frank “The Tank” Medina gives a big “thumbs up” from his hospital bed. After a triumphant season with the Vaqueros, Medina was recently diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. (Courtesy photo)
By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
As a football player in various levels of competition, Frank “The Tank” Medina knows what it’s like for people to cheer him on.
These days, Medina, who graduated from San Benito High School in 2023 and was the team captain of the Greyhounds’ varsity football program, has a different game plan, with one life focus: defeat a disease that has befallen him.
Just weeks ago, Medina, 20, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).
In August, he was making Rio Grande Valley news of a different kind – earning a scholarship after competing to play for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros’ first-year football program.
He then earned a position on the offensive line, appearing in five games and starting in four.
It’s a far cry from when he saw no action as a freshman for the Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas’ football program in 2023.
Medina knows what it takes to persevere and not give up, his family and friends said. This time, his health is of great importance and he is challenged once again.
Mary Guerrero explained what happened to her son after he visited urgent care in Harlingen the day after Thanksgiving. She said Frank received two shots in his lower back for pain and was prescribed muscle relaxers. However, his back pain and fever returned overnight on Dec. 9.
The following day, the family went into CareNow Urgent Care in Edinburg where his blood pressure was high; he was running a fever, and blood tests were administered, Mary said.
They then went to Rio Grande Regional Hospital in nearby McAllen for more blood work and testing.
“It was there that we found out he had leukemia, but we didn’t know what kind or how or why – we had lots of questions,” Mary said. “Then he was transported to Methodist Hospital in San Antonio for further testing. It wasn’t until Monday, December 15, when (physicians) told us it was Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.”
Frank was later moved to the Methodist Children’s Hospital Cancer and Blood Center in San Antonio where he remains as of this story.
The family is now adapting to costs for food, lodging, travel, and possible loss of work time, among other financial matters, improvising along the way; but they are not alone, as fundraising efforts are underway.
His family, friends, and strangers are championing a financial movement, and if an inaugural fundraising event held Saturday, Dec. 20, is any indication, the support to pay for Frank’s medical expenses will be evident moving forward.
Frank wasn’t in attendance at a “Fill the Helmet” fundraiser, a three-hour San Benito event at the intersection of Sam Houston Blvd. and I-69, where UTRGV and SBHS athletes gathered and solicited funds from motorists. Frank played alongside those holding signs, soliciting donations.
A few hours following the fundraiser that attracted Valleywide news coverage, Frank and his mother showed their appreciation.
“Thanks to the overwhelming support today, $4,110 was raised for Frank,” Mary said. “We are so grateful for our San Benito community. We truly appreciate all the love and help we received today.”
Frank said, “Thank you to the community for supporting my family and me; God bless everyone who donated and sends prayers, I am upmost grateful.”
Frank said he “loves his brothers,” referring to his friends, some of whom were wearing Greyhound football jerseys.
According to the family, it was Claudia Alaniz and current UTRGV redshirt freshman running back and former ‘Hounds player Fabian Garcia who spearheaded the drive from 9 a.m. to noon.
“I spoke to him; his spirits are up. It’s the same Frank I know to be a positive guy, the strongest guy I know,” said Garcia during the KRGV interview. “He is my brother.”
“He’s always in our prayers; he’s not fighting this battle alone,” added SBHS junior Peter Buenrostro on KRGV. “We know he’s going to get through this; we know he is a fighter. We’re always going to be by his side.
This is not all.
On behalf of the family, Tiffany and SBHS coach Kenneth Rubio are also coordinating a GoFundMe account that, to date, has raised $15,715, which is 72 percent of the target fund.
There were 234 donations during a four-day period for an account that was created December 18.
The address is as follows: www.gofundme.com/f/from-greyhound-to-vaquero-to-leukemia
“As one of his high school coaches, I can attest that he’s a young man who beat the odds by working harder than any athlete I’ve ever known,” Kenneth said in the GoFundMe bio of Frank. “Now, this fairy tale has hit quite the plot twist; he has spent more time assuring everyone around him that he will be fine than he has spent worrying about himself.”
The goal, according to the account entitled, “Help Frank ‘The Tank’ Tackle Leukemia” is $22,000.
“Every single dollar we raise for Frank is going to be used to help ease the burden so he can focus on getting better … just know that we know how meaningful that is,” Tiffany said. “The world needs more Franks, but the outpouring of love and generosity that has blanketed this young man in just the last 24 hours is astonishing.”
Mary said the week of Christmas that she is “incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support received.”
ALL is a cancer of the bone marrow that can spread quickly to blood cells. It can develop at any age, but it’s most common in children between ages three and five. With treatment, the condition can be cured in most children and many adults.
ALL causes bone marrow (the spongy tissue in bones) to produce too many immature white blood cells (lymphoblasts).
These abnormal cells crowd out healthy red and white blood cells and platelets in the blood and bone marrow, making it difficult for the body to fight infection and disease.
The word “acute” means the disease progresses quickly and can be severe. ALL can spread quickly to the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, brain, spinal cord, and testicles. Left untreated, it can become life-threatening.
The most common childhood leukemia and cancer, ALL typically occurs before age 15. In most cases, acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children can be cured.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults is less common and more difficult to manage. With treatment, the condition can be cured.
It is estimated that there will be 6,660 new cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia this coming year.
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