Parker Project

Parker Angelus Diaz was born on October 5, 2000, in West Covina, California, and raised by his father, Dan Diaz, along with his grandparents, Jose and Gloria Diaz. In 2006, the family moved to San Antonio, Texas, in search of better educational opportunities. Parker was a bright and joyful child with an old soul, fluent in English and Spanish, and passionate about martial arts and video games.

In 2010, Parker began experiencing what seemed like “growing pains” in his legs. After months of doctor visits, his life took a dramatic turn on February 9, 2011, when dangerously high blood pressure led to an emergency hospital visit. Doctors discovered an orange-sized tumor on his adrenal gland and diagnosed him with Adrenal Carcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer.

Parker underwent surgery and chemotherapy, which brought brief periods of improvement. Despite these efforts, the cancer returned. The Diaz family cherished the rare moments of normalcy between treatments, such as quick trips to Target, while navigating the emotional and physical toll of his battle. On March 13, 2012, after 13 months of treatment, Parker passed away.

The experience left a lasting impact on Dan Diaz. He reflected on the challenges faced by families in similar situations: parents struggling with financial burdens, transportation issues, and balancing work with their child’s care. To honor Parker’s memory, Dan founded Parker Project to support families by easing these day-to-day struggles, helping them focus on what truly matters—caring for their child battling cancer.