It takes a village to get through life, especially during the most challenging times. I have created this fundraiser for my co-worker and good friend Mary Martinez. In April of this year, she received the devastating news that immediately hurdled her and her family into the most significant battle they would ever face. To know Mary, you would wonder why such a kind, giving and caring person with so much life to live would be dealt such a hand. I asked Mary to personally share her story as well as what obstacles lay ahead. I hope you can take a moment to read her story below, and if you have the means to donate in any way, it would sincerely be appreciated.

My name is Mary Martinez, and I am 37 years old. I am married to my soul mate and have two incredible children, Corben (9) and Olivia (3). In October 2021, I started having severe pain in my left scapula and arm area and went to my PCP to look into it. For months I was told it was just a pinched muscle, and everything was fine. I continued to insist that something was wrong and requested additional testing with countless specialists and procedures. Eventually, those procedures showed what was really happening below the surface. I was told that I had a large mass on my lung that was approximately the size of an avocado, and it was pressing on two nerves, which explained the radiating pain I was experiencing in several places on the left side of my body. Shortly after, I had an appointment with an Oncologist, where I was told that I had stage 4 terminal lung cancer that metastasized into my bones and some of my organs. A biopsy further explained that it was Pleural Mesothelioma, a rare diagnosis, especially in my age group. Nonetheless, I am faced with this diagnosis and an unknown future for me and my family. I started aggressive chemotherapy, and after four treatments, it was determined that the masses did not shrink. After being told that, in addition to getting sick from each treatment, I decided to stop the chemo rounds. I am scheduled to start immunotherapy later in the month. After two months of immunotherapy treatment, I am supposed to start radiation to hopefully shrink the masses and help prolong my prognosis.

With two young children, getting treatments that could potentially give me more time with them is my top priority. To ensure I try as many opportunities as possible, I am scheduling an appointment with MD Anderson in Texas, where they offer 11 different types of advanced radiation treatment options. However, treatment at these facilities is expensive and often not fully covered by insurance. It also would entail expenses such as housing and everything else that comes with being away from home during my treatment period. My children deserve to have their mom alive for as long as possible, and the lack of funding for the best treatment plan should not be why I don't allow myself to receive it.

I've never been the kind of person to ask for help. However, I am learning to ask for help when I need it and when my family needs it. If you feel called to help, in any amount, I would sincerely appreciate it. I believe in good karma and hope that if getting treatment at MD Anderson is supposed to be for me, I can receive it.

With gratitude,

Mary & family