In the May 1994 at the age of 15, Elizabeth (Venkus) Santiago, was shot in a car jacking
leaving her with a spinal cord injury that
permanently paralyzed from the hips down.
With the support of family (blood and chosen) and friends, she overcame that tragic life
altering event. A year later in late April 95, she met Frank Santiago, who fast became her soulmate. They were married less that a year later in early April. They have been inseparable ever since. They went on to have 4 healthy
children and one even produced a grandchild to round out the family nicely. They faced many hardships a long the way but always stood
strong together and as a family, Living their
lives as one for the past 25 years.
In February 2019 Elizabeth was diagnosed
with stage 3b breast cancer. It was a very
trying time for the Santiago family physically, emotionally, mentally and financially. With her husband, Frank at her side, enduring multiple
surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation they
were told they were in the clear.
2020 brought on new challenges with the
pandemic and further financial burdens, which they faced in stride as they had each other.
2021 has now brought on even more
challenges, Elizabeth’s cancer came back with a vengeance, as it has now spread to other areas of her body. Like before, her husband
remains by her side, as they need one another now more than ever but this is not without a
cost. It is creating a financial hardship greater than the family has ever faced before. With 2 kids still at home and 2 in college, the prayers, messages of hope, humor and support mean the world to them and up until now, thats all
they have asked for. But right now they find
themselves in need of some financial support
as well, it would go a long way towards
eliminating one major source of stress this
family currently faces, as Frank is eating away at his PFL/FMLA.
A quote from Henry Ford “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so
much.”
I would like to thank you all in advance for any help you could offer this family in their time of need. If you can’t donate we completely understand but please even just sharing this post as much as possible would go a very long way.