My name is Cierra, and I'm fundraising for my little sister Madi's funeral expenses on behalf of our family.

 

Madison (Madi) Martin was 25 and passed away in her sleep last night. Our family is still waiting to understand the cause of her death. Madi's childhood and early adulthood were harder than most, plagued with health issues from congenital heart disease to Von Willebrand disease (a rare blood disorder) to a brain aneurysm, which left her clinically blind. Three weeks ago, she had a hysterectomy to attempt to control her blood disorder, which robbed her of her greatest dream in life: to be a mom.

 

Despite Madi's seemingly unlimited health problems, she was a young woman full of so much love for those around her. She loved planning parties to celebrate family milestones, was always seeking to help people and never failed to bring people together around food. She had an infectious smile and laugh and loved cooking, traveling, shopping, a good gossip sesh, live music, and being around kids. That's probably why she was an avid Friends, Gilmore Girls, and all things Disney fan and had plans of getting married at Walt Disney World one day. But most of all, she was a damn good sister, daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend.

 

Words can't describe the anger and pain we all feel in this moment after losing such a beautiful soul so unexpectedly. As we're grappling with this shattering loss, we're trying to help raise funds for her funeral and memorial services. Any support you can give or simply sharing this with others would go a long way in celebrating her life.  

 

In the words of Disney's Beauty and the Beast:

How does a moment last forever? How can a story never die?

It is love we must hold onto. Never easy, but we try.

Sometimes our happiness is captured. Somehow, a time and place stand still.

Love lives on inside our hearts and always will.

 

We love you Madi

** NOTE: All funds will go towards covering Madi's funeral and burial costs. Should there be additional funds raised in excess of these costs, all donations will go to the National Hemophilia Foundation -  an organization dedicated to supporting bleeding disorders through research, education, and advocacy. Thank you for your love and support.**