Serving Through Survival
Home for Hope: A Grateful Patient Celebrates Upcoming Fox Cancer Center Groundbreaking
Local restaurant owner credits Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso with giving him a second chance at life to serve his community
The breakfast rush at Lucy's Café West is a well-choreographed dance, with David Lepe darting through the tiny restaurant taking orders, clearing tables, and greeting customers — both old and new — with warmth and energy to spare.
“Anyone can prepare a taco, but there's a significant difference between a delicious one, especially when people can sense and taste the love that goes into making it,” said Lepe, who manages the family restaurant at 6600 N. Mesa.
But in 2013, during the same month Lepe opened Lucy's Café West, his world shifted. A colon cancer diagnosis threatened to end not just his dreams of expanding his mother's restaurant legacy, but his life itself.
The original Lucy, Lepe's mother, opened her first restaurant in 1972. Lepe credits his hardworking, single-parent mom for creating a legacy that includes four locations run by his siblings. Today, Lucy's Café West remains a family affair that features a son-in-law waiting tables.
When colon cancer struck, Lepe turned to Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso. Oncologist Sumit Gaur, M.D., became central to his battle against the disease. Dr. Gaur, practicing in our Borderplex since 2005, managed Lepe's chemotherapy after surgeons removed part of his colon.
Expressing Gratitude for Care
Lepe's story mirrors that of hundreds of other cancer warriors across our Borderplex who received world-class care close to home. His journey from a devastating diagnosis to ten years of good health paves the way for a brighter future with the Sept. 17 groundbreaking of the Steve and Nancy Fox Cancer Center.
“Dr. Gaur and Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso gave me the chance to keep doing what I love — serving my community and carrying on my mother's legacy,” Lepe said. “Without their expertise and care, none of this would be possible.”
Thirteen years after his diagnosis and treatment, Lepe continues serving his community, his favorite part of the job unchanged: talking with customers who have become like family.
“Every time I saw Dr. Gaur, he had such a good attitude,” said Lepe. “He spent so much time with me that I would run out of words and questions. “It really gave me a lot of hope and faith.”
Thirteen years later, whenever Dr. Gaur stops by Lucy’s Café West, Lepe greets him as an old friend.
“Patients like Mr. Lepe remind us why we went into oncology in the first place,” said Dr. Gaur. “He reminds me of how he was treated at Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso and how he has always felt grateful for the care he received.”
A Growing Need
Approximately 3,275 El Pasoans face cancer annually, with rising rates of leukemia, breast, liver and kidney cancers. In our Borderplex, where 83% of the population is Hispanic, one in three individuals will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths regionally, with incidence and mortality rates among Hispanics in El Paso County exceeding those for Hispanics throughout Texas. Despite being preventable through screening, El Paso County's screening rates rank among the lowest in Texas.
When detected early, the five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer reaches 90%. However, late-stage diagnosis remains persistent in border communities where socioeconomic factors create barriers to timely screening and treatment.
The Promise of Comprehensive Care
Comprehensive cancer care thrives on teamwork. By coordinating care across multiple specialties, the Fox Cancer Center will ensure every patient receives a treatment plan tailored to their unique needs. Evidence shows that multidisciplinary care improves survival and reduces mortality risk. Paired with the latest research and clinical trials, this approach reflects our commitment to providing the highest standard of cancer treatment.
For families like the Lepes, the upcoming Fox Cancer Center groundbreaking symbolizes hope realized. The first comprehensive cancer center serving West Texas and our Borderplex region will revolutionize cancer treatment by providing world-class care, innovative research, and clinical trial opportunities directly to the communities patients call home.
A Recipe for Hope
Today, Lepe continues what his mother started nearly five decades ago: serving food prepared with love to a community that embraced his family's story. The restaurant remains a gathering place where fresh tortillas mingle with conversations about daily life and shared dreams.
For Lepe, gratitude means more than surviving cancer. It means continuing to serve the community that supported his family while helping build a future where no family faces cancer alone.
About Texas Tech Health El Paso
Texas Tech Health El Paso serves 108 counties in West Texas and is dedicated to preparing the next generation of health care heroes. Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a uniquely innovative destination for medical, nursing, biomedical sciences and dental education.
Focusing on excellence in health care education, research, and clinical service, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,600 professionals since 2013, including its first cohort of dental graduates in 2025. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.