Jodi Maquinalez Medical Fund

Hi, my name is Melissa Wisz and Jodi Maquinalez and her husband Dave are dear friends of mine - which is why I am creating this GoFundMe.

Thank you in advance for reading their story.

Jodi and Dave have an amazing blended family. Their family unit is so very strong and in times like this will grow even stronger. This amazing couple is inspiring to so many, not only by their faith but by their testimony to true love, it is undeniable.

I am starting this GoFundMe because Jodi was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after being misdiagnosed in October 2022.

Jodi's journey and treatment to fight this battle is going to be a tough one, please continue reading.

Those of you who know Jodi and Dave already know how loving, caring, and giving they are. They are both very active and deeply involved at their church, Pacific Christian, which has always been a huge source of support for their family.

Jodi and Dave have a son, Joshua, who is a living testament to what God has done in their lives. Josh has had several brain surgeries and is also a cancer survivor himself. He has very specific special needs daily. My hope is this fund will help take care of him as well while Jodi and Dave are focusing on fighting Jodi's battle.

One very special thing not many know about Jodi is that for over 15 years she has served the homeless community and has always shown them love, compassion and respect. Jodi has also worked for the Santa Barbara County Education Office for 23 years working with special needs kids as well, until recently.

As stated above this journey started back in October 2022 when Jodi started feeling a lot of pain. After ER visits and many hospital stays and procedures, they were able to finally give her a diagnosis when she transferred her care to UCLA in May 2023 – PANCREATIC CANCER.

Because of all of this, Jodi has lost her job and her benefits, including her health insurance.

-We would like to thank her family of teachers who sacrificed so much for Jodi during this initial process and please know she is so very grateful for all of your support and generosity.

Jodi is now scheduled for the Whipple surgery this coming Monday, June 5, 2023.

After having this surgery, she and Dave will have to stay down at UCLA for up to 14 days. With this comes missed work for Dave, hotel, food, travel expenses, etc. They will not know the severity or stage of her cancer until the pathology reports are received after her surgery.

We all know that miracles happen every single day, and that’s what we are praying for.

We are not sure how much or how long her chemo treatments will be at this time.

I hope that this extra help from family, friends, loved ones, and maybe even those who have never met this amazing family who feels the urge to help will reduce some stress and the financial burden that is coming.

Both of them not being able to work for an unknown timeframe is very stressful in itself.

Anything helps, and we are so grateful for any donation, prayer, share, etc.

The Lord knows how much Jodi has done on this earth for so many, I pray what she has given comes back to her in abundance.

Please, please, keep Jodi and her family in your prayers.

--Dave, Shyann, Andrew, Joshua, Jeremy, Luke and their grandbaby Sofia.

We will be providing updates via this GoFundMe as they are available.

Thank you so much!

Melissa