Robert Barajas, 23, was recently diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, an aggressive cancer to the soft tissues.
About 30 percent of reported cases occur in children and young adults. About one to three people in a million are diagnosed each year.
Despite the pain and stress of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Barajas is up and fighting back.
"If I were to feel sorry for myself and sit at home and cry, 'Why me?' I don't think that would make it any better. It would be just adding more negativity verses being positive about it and just trying to help others," said Barajas.
He has organized a fundraiser at the yogurt shop he works at in Tarzana to raise awareness about his rare cancer.
"When my doctor tells me that he does not have much to look at as far as previous patients with this cancer, it's scary," he said.
For the next three days, 25 percent of all sales at Groovy Spoon Frozen Yogurt will go to the UCLA Sarcoma research center.
"We had a family member that passed away from cancer and we want to help as much as we can," said yogurt shop owner Isaac Mizrahi.
The fundraiser will run from Friday to Sunday at Groovy Spoon Frozen Yogurt at 5501 Reseda Blvd. in Tarzana.
For those who are also battling cancer, Barajas has this message:
"I just want to say to keep fighting. You're never alone, ever. There's always someone who's going through this with you," said Barajas.
