CEO of Omaha nonprofit battles stage IV cancer and spends final days serving veterans

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – One by one on Wednesday, JE Dunn Construction in Omaha presented checks for more than $5,000 each to three veterans organizations: Guitars for vets, Helping veterans move forwardand the First Responders Foundation‘s JAVELAN program.

“We provide customized service dog training for local retired first responders and veterans,” said Mike Krause, JAVELAN program director. “Every dollar raised stays local, in the shape of the Omaha metro area.”

Helping veterans move forward helps veterinarians find housing, moves them and helps furnish the houses.

Founder and CEO Ron Hernandez said his organization has helped more than 3,300 homeless veterans in the Omaha and Council Bluffs region over the past 15 years.

And he remains committed to the effort even as he faces his biggest battle yet.

“In April, I was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer,” Hernandez said. “We all know that life expectancy with that terrible disease is not very long.”

Hernandez said doctors gave him a year to live.

However, that prognosis and the fact that he receives chemotherapy every other week does not hold him back.

“I know that God has put his hands on me so that I can get up every day and continue to do my mission every day to help our veterans and our citizens in the Omaha area,” he said.

He also feels that part of his drive to continue comes from his military background.

“Mission comes first. You have a job to do. The job has to be done. People count on you to be there to do that work. They expect you to be there. And I believe that your word is worth more than any gold or piece of paper with a gift written on it. Your word is who you are.”

Although he is determined to continue his mission as long as he stands, he still has not given up hope for his health.

“Why can’t a good boy from Papillion, Nebraska be the first to beat pancreatic cancer? So I’ll keep fighting, and maybe that day will come.”

Hernandez said Moving Veterans Forward will continue to operate even after he is gone, but the group needs the support of the community to do what it does.