Erik Miguel Cancino

Erik was born on May 22, 1983 in Tarzana, CA. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, San Diego in 2011. His loving wife, the former Amberly Miranda Rodriguez, married Erik on October 5, 2013 in La Jolla, CA.

Erik attended St. Cyril's of Jerusalem Elementary School, Crespi Carmelite High School, and Los Angeles Valley College. He received his Associate of Arts degree in general education from Southwestern College and his Bachelor of Science degree in human biology from the Univeristy of California San Diego. Erik loved playing water polo, a sport he started playing in junior high through high school, and continued at a college level. He was known as the player with the biggest heart and the strongest arm.

Erik was committed to a life of public service. He trained to be a firefighter and proudly served as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Los Angeles and San Diego for six years. His work as an EMT sparked his interest in biology and the human body, which eventually led him to the University of California, San Diego to obtain his bachelor’s degree in human biology.

As part of his transfer to UCSD, he was selected to participate in the UCSD Moores Cancer Center’s training program for highly promising college science majors. This was a National Cancer Institute-funded program that provided intensive training for a small group of UCSD students. Erik was trained in program’s summer science training program and then funded to work in the laboratories of top UCSD cancer scientists throughout the remainder of his academic career at UCSD, including the late Dr. Percy Russell and Dr. Jason Yuan. He also worked in the laboratory of Dr. Guy Salvesen at Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute. He received multiple awards, including “Outstanding Student Researcher.” He subsequently became a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Scholar. After graduating from UCSD, Erik worked as a clinical lab technician at Genoptix, while preparing for the graduate school admission process.

His academic decisions brought him to study in a coffee shop where he met his UCSD classmate and eventually, his soul mate, Amberly. He proposed to his wife in July of 2013 with a marriage planned for the following summer. Within months of launching on the happy pathway of prenuptial events that would lead their marriage, he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer and one without any viable treatment options..

Erik’s only possible chance for survival was a bone marrow transplant. In a loving act, Erik's sister, Sofia Cancino, served as the bone marrow donor. Knowing the challenges that lay ahead, Amberly and Erik moved their wedding date to October 5, 2013, a window of high hopes and wonderful time with family and friends. By October 7th, Erik was set to begin the first step in the bone marrow transplantation process.

According to Erik's transplant doctor, the transplant was successful, but certain organs in his body, like his lungs and kidneys, developed complications from which Erik could not survive without 100% reliance on life support. Erik passed away peacefully in his wife’s arms with his family by his side.

Erik's personal life also exemplified an individual committed to public service. Erik was active with Healing Hearts Across Borders. People who knew Erik knew him to be a warm and comforting person who could brighten any room. He’s best known for his smile, random acts of kindness, and phenomenal cooking skills. His special laugh will live in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In honor of Erik’s kindness and generosity, a scholarship fund has been created in Erik’s name at his Alma Mater. Donations can be sent to:

Crespi Carmelite High School

Attn: Brett Nordic

5031 Alonzo Avenue

Encino, CA 91316

NOTE: Checks should be made out to Crespi Carmelite High School and indicate in the memo section that they are for the Erik Miguel Cancino Memorial Scholarship Fund.

You can also follow this link: https://crespi.ejoinme.org/?tabid=531771

Erik is survived by his beloved wife, Amberly Cancino, his father (Miguel Cancino), his mother (Beatriz Carmona) , sisters (Sofia and Linda Cancino), niece (Grace), and nephews (Simon, Philip, and Sebastian), as well as his many best friends.

Erik was laid to rest on April 11, 2014 at Glen Abbey Memorial Park, San Diego, California.