Love Triumphs Over Cancer
- For over 40 years, Tejano music star Ram Herrera, 66, has crooned about love to fans of this Mexican-American folk-pop genre, which translates to “Texan” in Spanish. Now those songs carry a deeper meaning for the San Antonio singer and his wife, Lizé, after a stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis disrupted their lives just months after marrying.
- The father of five publicly revealed his diagnosis in September 2025, describing it as “scary but treatable.” He thanked supporters for their prayers and said he had faith in his doctors. Ram finished radiation in February 2026.
- In SurvivorNet’s Men Beating the Odds series, the Grammy-nominated artist, born “Ramiro,” reflects on the shock of his diagnosis, the support that helped him through treatment, and his determination to return to the stage.
- The film follows Ram to a venue, backstage, and onto the stage, where he performs songs like “Just One Time,” a tune about holding close the people they love. “When you find someone, you hold onto them,” says Ram.
In SurvivorNet’s Men Beating the Odds series, the Grammy-nominated artist, born “Ramiro,” reflects on the shock of his diagnosis, the support that helped him through treatment, and his determination to return to the stage.
RELATED ARTICLE: SurvivorNetTV Presents: ‘SN & You Turning To Faith’
Though Ram has played at countless weddings over his career, his very own was the best he has experienced – a “fairytale dream,” Lizé describes.
Then Ram became ill. The couple’s new life as husband and wife was marred by plans they now had “to put on hold.” But Ram recalls Lizé reassuring him they would get through it.
RELATED ARTICLE: When Someone You Love is Facing Cancer — Be Patient
“I wanted him to know I was there for him and I was going to be by his side every step of the way,” she shares.
“We’re still going through it,” says Ram, who completed radiation in February 2026.
Expert Resources for Metastatic Prostate Cancer Patients
‘I Love the Way Fans Love Him’
The Herra’s story of hope shines through, with the film capturing Lizé’s memories of watching Ram perform.
“When I see my husband on stage, I mean, he turns into somebody completely different, right? And it’s a blessing. I love to see him out there. I love the way his fans love him.”
Lizé would even write encouraging messages on the mirror to lift his spirits: “‘God wants you to get up today.’ ‘God wants you to do this.’ And constantly reminding me – and I need that. I need to be reminded. I need to be reminded that God is there. She reminds me of that.”
After over 40 years of performing, he wanted to return to the audience that grew with him.
“I still got a life in me,” Ram says. “I think I have a little bit left in the tank and I’m going to give it my best.”
The film follows Ram to a venue, backstage, and onto the stage, where he performs songs like “Just One Time,” a tune about holding close the people they love. “When you find someone, you hold onto them,” says Ram. “Always take the time to tell that person you love them,” Lizé adds.
Now an advocate for prostate cancer awareness and early detection, Ram urges men to get checked. He knows how easy it is to put it off.
So he speaks openly about his own journey, the fear and the hope alike, so other men don’t have to face it in silence. Through it all, he’s learned what matters most: the people who held his hand, showed up, and never let go. No matter what lies ahead, love triumphs over cancer.
“It makes you realize how valuable life is,” he says. “I’m grateful for life, basically.”
Content independently created by SurvivorNet with support from Novartis Pharmaceutical Corp.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
