Surprise Squad helps former Arizona’s Family employee battling cancer

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Arizona’s Family is more than just a slogan. It’s something many who work here take to heart.

So when we found out a former and beloved employee named Robin was facing a serious health battle, there was no question that we wanted to help.

A woman Robin worked for after she left Arizona’s Family nominated her for a visit from the Surprise Squad. Tess Rafols and the crew went to Robin’s house one morning and rang her doorbell.

Robin covered her mouth in surprise when she saw her former coworkers standing outside. She gave Tess a big hug and invited everyone inside.

“Take me back to when you started noticing something was wrong,” Tess told her. Robin said that in October of 2023, she felt there was something wrong with her body, and doctors eventually determined she had cancer.

She was quickly admitted to the hospital and had surgery a few days later. Shortly after that, she began an aggressive chemotherapy treatment. A year later, she’s still fighting the disease.

“Just yesterday I woke up, I didn’t feel well,” Robin said. “I literally went right back to sleep. Cried myself to sleep. It’s tough. It’s really tough. I’m trying to not let it kill my spirit. I ask ‘why me?’ but it is what it is. I have to fight it.”

Tess told Robin that her friends at Arizona’s Family were following her health journey on social media. She said the Surprise Squad had two different surprises for her on this day. The first was a staycation at the newly renovated Sheraton Phoenix in downtown Phoenix.

The treat includes a two-night stay in a suite, club access, complimentary parking, and dinner for two at their restaurant, Carcara.

“I love this,” Robin smiled. “I can’t wait.”

Tess presented Robin with an envelope and asked her to open it. “We know things have been really tough as well with not being able to work. So Arizona’s Family and your Valley Toyota Dealers hope this will help in some way with all the expenses that you’ve had,” Tess said.

Robin opened the envelope and became emotional when she saw she had been awarded $5,000.

“I’m so blessed, Tess,” she said, giving her a big hug.

“You are going to come out on the other end of this,” Tess replied. “Keep fighting.”

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