3/15/26
Surrounded by family, friends, and his incredible oncology support team, Rocky proudly rang the Victory Bell on March 13, 2026. Thank you all!
There are so many people and organizations to thank for the prayers, encouragement, and support throughout Rocky’s journey. First and foremost, THANK YOU, JESUS! Your grace carried us through every step of this difficult path.
We are deeply grateful for the constant prayers and encouragement from Jarrod, Jason, and the Christ’s Church of the Valley (CCV) team; our CCV Small Group—especially Tina for recommending GiveTaxFree.org and Sharon for spearheading the fundraising efforts; our family and friends (and the friends of friends and family) across the United States; Nissa, who helped steady us early on through the Mayo challenges; Brett and Patricia during the early stages of the Mayo insurance process, and Kristin more recently; our former and current coworkers and clients; and the many “Anonymous” donors who truly lived out the message of Matthew 6:3.
We also extend heartfelt thanks to Jackie’s pickleball friends, Rocky’s high school and college friends, and the many organizations that stepped forward with support, including Families Raising Hope, the Player 15 Group, the St. Vincent DePaul Society, Anthem Cares, State Farm Insurance (and Wende & Michael for connecting us), the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and the Lymphoma Research Foundation.
For those who have battled cancer themselves or supported someone who has, you understand that Rocky’s journey continues. He will undergo testing and follow-up care for several years to come. Through it all, Rocky has faced this battle as a true warrior, maintaining an incredibly positive attitude and inspiring everyone around him.
Our prayer is that you continue to keep Rocky—and all those fighting this terrible disease—in your prayers.
God bless you all, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts
=========================================================================
2/23/26
Rocky had his 12th and final chemo treatment on Friday. It knocked him for the biggest loop of all the treatments – it took him extra time to recover from this one and really messed up his system (translation -> he felt even more crappy for a super longer time than the last 11), but he’s back at school and back to work this week.
It has been a long battle, and we truly appreciate all the prayers and support of the people that have been following Rocky’s fight. We are all looking forward to his PET scan on 3/6 and getting the detailed results from his oncologist on 3/13.
Please continue to pray for Rocky, and especially for awesome results of his PET scan.
**as a reminder from our last update, if you’re local and can attend State Farm’s 20th year celebrating Louisiana heritage and to lift up local families in need, see the details below:
This year, they are proud to be benefiting The MANIACI Family ❤️
🗓 Saturday, March 7th
⏰ 5:00 PM – Close
📍 Roadrunner Restaurant & Saloon 47801 N. Black Canyon Highway | New River, AZ
✨ Live Music ✨ Raffle ✨ Silent Auction ✨ Incredible community
CALL JEANNETTE at 623-742-6866
=========================================================================
2/7/26
Rocky is in the home stretch, completing his penultimate chemo treatment yesterday. His spirits are high seeing an end to the treatments. He was upbeat for a little while longer during this treatment … until he wasn’t. God blesses him daily with the strength to fight through all the side effects of the treatment.
We all look forward to the next key dates for Rocky: February 20th (his last chemo treatment), March 6th (his next PET CT Scan), and March 13th (his appointment with Dr. Rosenthal to review the Scan results and next steps).
Thank you for your support & Please keep Rocky in your prayers.
**Many thanks to the McClelland-Miller State Farm team in Anthem for choosing Rocky as the beneficiary of their 20th Anniversary Mardi Gras fundraiser on March 7th at the Roadrunner Restaurant and Saloon (see flyer above). Please attend, Sponsor a Raffle or Silent Auction Item if you can.**
CALL JEANNETTE at 623-742-6866 for details
=========================================================================
1/13/26
Quick Update: As we move into the new year, Rocky continues to battle his lymphoma with determination, looking ahead to putting chemotherapy behind him soon. With 9 treatments completed and only 3 remaining, he musters the strength each day to push through the pain, daily annoyances, and necessary lifestyle changes. His oncologist remains encouraged by his progress, and Rocky is focused on closing this chapter of treatment, fully aware that a long road still lies ahead. His next PET scan is scheduled for March.
Blessings to all of you for your support.
Please keep Rocky in your prayers and share his campaign.
=========================================================================
12/28/25
In the midst of the holiday season, chemotherapy has become a necessary reality in the fight to eradicate Rocky’s cancer cells. He managed to squeeze in a day of skiing at Snowbowl—many thanks to Paul for the lift ticket—before returning to Mayo Clinic for treatment the day after Christmas. With eight treatments now completed and four remaining, progress continues.
We are deeply thankful for the medications doing their vital work to heal Rocky, though they come with a significant physical and emotional toll. His hair and eyebrows thin more each day. He endures constant abdominal pain, along with occasional back pain and intermittent sinus issues. Despite the frustration, Rocky continues to push forward through the pain and inconveniences, keeping the end goal firmly in sight.
Jackie and Phil are navigating the medical billing process as best they can. Most recently, Mayo Clinic has requested $200,000 to continue treatments and the necessary associated testing—a heavy burden hanging in the balance.
Blessings to all of you for your support.
Please keep Rocky in your prayers and share his campaign.
=========================================================================
12/16/25
Rocky wrapped up his 7th chemo treatment on Friday (counting down to #12). It exhausted him to the point where he slept through a lot of it (between nurses confirming his name and date of birth with each medication swap out). He’s looking forward to a few weeks break from school and trying to get some 22-year-old normalcy to spend time with family and friends before heading back to finish up his masters. We plugged in a friend memory from his graduation cruise last spring in Europe and a family Christmas photo from last year as a reminder of how life can change in a moment and also for the hope that Jesus Christ brings through faith in Him.
Blessings to all of you for your support.
Please keep Rocky in your prayers and share his campaign.
*The Arizona Diamondbacks organization was kind enough to provide some fund-raising opportunities for Rocky’s campaign. Below are a few links to check out and share if you know of anyone who may be interested in the items.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/336346692443
https://www.ebay.com/itm/336346906370
https://www.ebay.com/itm/336346920538
=========================================================================
12/1/25
Rocky is officially half-way through his chemotherapy treatments (6 down, 6 to go to ring the bell!). We continue to pray for healing. Each treatment seems to suck a little more of his energy out, but he’s been amazingly resilient. We snuck an unflattering photo of him the morning after treatment as he fought to regain his strength at home before he cleaned himself up and headed to the scorer’s table to lead the statistics team for the Valley Suns game that afternoon. The family was there to support him (kind of a “take your family to work day” compliments of the Player 15 Group with some free tickets).
Please continue to pray for healing
and
help by reposting Rocky’s campaign to widen the net of financial support.
=========================================================================
11/16/25
Rocky completed his 5th chemotherapy treatment on Friday. Prior to treatment, his oncologist shared encouraging news—his 11/13 PET scan shows he’s responding well, and she even joked that he owed her a high five. Rocky still has 7 treatments to go, and though the journey is exhausting, he continues to fight courageously through these 6 months of treatment. We praise God for this positive news!
On another note, Phil participated yesterday in the 9th Annual Families Raising Hope 5K. Many thanks to Melissa Kovalesky and her wonderful organization for supporting Rocky and so many other Arizona families in their cancer battles!
Please continue to pray for healing
and
help by reposting Rocky’s campaign to widen the net of financial support.
=====================================================================================
10/31
Rocky completed his 4th chemo treatment, 8 more to go (33% of the way there). The treatment remains the same, but it seems to take a little bit harder toll on him afterward. The drugs sap his energy level and give him ongoing stomach pain. He remains amazingly positive and resilient! God Bless Him.
He had a nice visit from Tom and Ben Strawn this time around. Tom was so kind to gather the family in prayer for Rocky’s healing – it was very much appreciated. Rocky rested most of the night following treatment and a good amount of time the following morning so he could get back to work for the first live scrimmage of 2025 for the Valley Suns (the G-League team for the Phoenix Suns) on 11/1. He’s back to the school and work grind and kicking Cancer’s butt.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and financial support!
Please continue to pray for healing
and
help by reposting Rocky’s campaign to widen the net of financial support.
=================================================================================
10/17
Rocky was hit a little harder than usual today but is doing OK. We are thankful for the prayers and support of all his family and friends, especially, Ben and Caden who came to visit today. Rocky maintains a positive, can-do, keep on smiling (even when things stink) attitude during this challenge.
*Please pray for Rocky and his family*
After Rocky’s 3rd Chemo treatment today, which ended around 3:30, the Maniaci’s received a voicemail and written pre-payment request for $70K about 45 minutes later … due in 2 days! (see link below – name of the sender is redacted). Jackie and Phil are working feverishly on several options to acquire better insurance coverage for Rocky’s treatment and work with Mayo Clinic for grace in the financial realm.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/19G62hnave9zadSR9
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and financial support!
Please repost Rocky’s campaign and continue to pray for healing.
=====================================================================================
10/3
Rocky completed his 2nd chemotherapy treatment today. Many thanks to his friends Elijah, Caden, Nick, and Nathan for visiting and helping keep his spirits up! Naturally, big sister Mira, Mom, & Dad are always by his side. Rocky is handling the treatment well, it’s pretty tiring, but he’s soldiering through. His next treatment is in two weeks (*10 more to go*).
A huge thank you to all of you for your prayers and financial support, it is genuinely appreciated!
Please repost Rocky’s campaign and continue to pray for healing.
==================================================================================
9/23
Rocky had surgery to implant his PowerPort in his chest, which will assist with the ongoing blood draws and Chemo treatments of the next 5 1/2 months. Surgery went well and he’s slowly overcoming the soreness. The hospital staff was kind enough to patch him up with a heart bandage.
*One bright spot was that his attending nurse said he was “the most chill 22-year-old” so they didn’t have to anesthetize him that much :). He went to work after surgery at SportDataIO for 5 hours and is now resting at Jackie and Phil’s. He’ll head back to school in the morning. He is one tough young man!
Thank you all for your support and continued prayers. Please spread Rocky’s campaign far and wide.
====================================================================================
Rocky had his first Chemo treatment on Friday, 9/19 at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. One down 11 more to go! He’s toughing out the fatigue and queasiness with a great deal of positivity and spiritual strength that he’s receiving from prayer warriors around the country.
We are so thankful for the donors and prayer supporters for the start to this campaign. For some perspective, the Maniaci’s had to pre-pay$54,916 ($35, 944 for Rocky’s first treatment *$31,597 of that for the most expensive drug, Nivolumab + his procedure on Tuesday 9/23, to put a port in his chest: another pre-pay of $18,972 for this procedure).
We’ll send ongoing updates on this portal and ask that you continue to pray for Rocky and please repost the updates to cast the widest net to financially support this campaign.
May God bless all of you for your support!
======================================================================================
Rocky (22 years old) is the son of two dear friends of ours that was just diagnosed with Lymphoma. This has been an unbelievably tremendous shock to everyone who knows Rocky and his family. Please see his story below, follow the link and make your tax-deductible contribution to assist in offsetting the enormous medical expenses affiliated with his treatment plan. The family insurance plan is VERY limited and doesn’t cover much cancer treatment. Please pray for Rocky and the Maniaci family
His lymphoma was discovered during a routine annual physical where he had a lump on his neck. It wasn’t painful, just looked weird. He is a healthy athletic person who had never been sick before (with the exception of bumps, bruises, pulled muscles and broken bones to be expected of a competitive athlete). He excelled in high school football (all-region honorable mention) and basketball (second team all-region) at Northwest Christian HS in Phoenix. While studying at Arizona State University he participated in club sports all four years. Cancer does not play-favorites, anyone can be a candidate.
In May, 2025 he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Arizona State University, Barrett, The Honors College, with a BS in Business Data Analytics and a BA in Business with a concentration in Sports Management. His Barrett, The Honors College thesis was entitled: The Importance of Leveraging Analytics to Drive Performance Improvements in the NBA. He has an International Business certification, having studied in London and Rome. He also worked in London over the summer of ’24 for Snack Media, an advertising company specializing in sports content. Rocky is a go-getter.
Rocky Maniaci is an amazingly positive and outstanding young Christian man with a warm heart, has deep compassion for people, has a fantastic sense of humor, a contagious smile and a wonderful outlook on life. He is loved by many. When his doctor told him of his diagnosis, Rocky defiantly coined his mantra: “Cancer hasn’t met ME, yet!”. He is a fighter.
Please contribute to Rocky’s campaign to fight his lymphoma and pray for complete eradication of the cancer in his body. Feel free to share the QR code and link below to help Rocky.