Hello, friends and kind strangers,
My name is Melissa Martinez, and I’m reaching out on behalf of our family as we navigate an incredibly tough chapter in our lives.
I was recently diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer. What began as hope for a simple procedure has become a whirlwind of tests, appointments, and now an upcoming mastectomy and multiple surgeries. Alongside the breast cancer, I was told this week that I’m also facing severe esophageal and stomach issues that could become cancerous if not addressed via another major surgery this year.
While I am truly grateful for the medical care and hopeful about my prognosis, the costs of fighting for my health are overwhelming. Despite insurance, bills for surgeries, specialist visits, and necessary medications and medical supplies have already reached the thousands, and will only continue to grow.
Although I normally work full-time, I’ve recently become too ill to work more than a handful of hours a week, meaning that part of our family’s income has disappeared just when we need it most. Unfortunately, this diagnosis follows too quickly on the heels of losing our financial safety net, as, not long ago, my husband was unexpectedly unemployed for a year and a half. While my husband is back to working full time, we still find ourselves struggling to keep up with the medical payments and basic living expenses.
How your help will support us:
Donations will go directly toward our out-of-pocket medical expenses, and, if we’re able, we’d also like to invest in counseling or other support to help our family’s mental health as we face these uncertainties.
If you are able to donate, any amount is appreciated more than words can say. Your support will help ease some of the financial stress so we can try to focus on healing and making it through the road ahead.
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for reading, sharing, or considering a donation.
With gratitude,
Melissa, Gama, and our three children