A Chefs Heart

Help Chef Jay fight Congestive Heart Failure

My name is Jorseam “Jay’ Martinez. For years I’ve built my life around two great passions: Being a dad to my amazing kids. Kendall, Hunter and Trinity, and my career as a chef, creating meal and dishes that bring people joy and happiness.

Being a dad gave me reason and purpose. Being called dad is the best title I have ever had. Being called chef gave me a sense of pride. As a chef my hands have been my tools - to provide for my family and create a stable life.

Recently, my world was turned upside down, when I was diagnosed With Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

The other week I found myself coming down with a cold, at least I thought. Catching my breath walking across the room, then be unable to lie down to sleep without gasping for breath. Went to the ER at U of M, After I was admitted they ran a battery of tests, where I was diagnosed with CHF.

My Heart is struggling to keep up, unable to pump the liquid from my lungs, it’s as if I am drowning on land. Walking to get the mail or standing in a hot kitchen have become monumental tasks.

My diagnosis means I can no longer work the demanding physical hours required in a professional kitchen. My primary source of income has disappeared over night. Fear and uncertainty are now constant companions, My biggest fear is not being able to be present for my family.

Why I am reaching out for help

I’ve always been one to help, but now I need to swallow my pride and ask for help. The financial strain is immense and growing rapidly.

Mounting medical bills: co-pays, specialists visits, expansive heart medications and future procedures not covered insurance.

Living Expenses: Without an income coming in at the moment my savings has bee depleted, making bills and groceries a daunting task.

How your Support will help

$75 Helps cover a week of crucial heart medicine.

$150 covers a specialist co-pay to monitor my condition

$750 - $1000 helps cover bills and insurance.

More then anything, your support gives me the gift of time - time to heal, to rest and time to focus on my health without the crushing weight of finances.

If you can not donate, I completely understand, especially in this time when money is so tight and every cent counts. You can still make a difference by sharing this story on your socials, with your friends and in your community. A share costs nothing but could mean everything

This is just a life line until I can figure out what the next move is. They say you can’t reverse the diagnosis, only slow it. I intend to slow it to a snails pace and try to get back on my feet. I have a lot to prove still.

Feel free to message me, communication is key to helping me through this. It lets me know what I am fighting for.

From the bottom of my hopeful heart, thank you for your love, your support, and reading my story.

With Immense Gratitude,

Chef Jorseam “Jay” Martinez