Please support Mark & family during his recovery

Hello family, friends, and friend’s of friends. My name is Mary and I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to read this. My cousin, Mark Rodriguez, suffered a heart attack on Thursday, January 25th, 2024, and I am humbling asking for support. On January 25th, Mark decided to play basketball with a couple of friends and after the first round, was very short-winded and decided to sit out for the rest of the game. His friends asked if he was ok and Mark replied, yes, it’s just really bad heartburn. Mark physically felt a heavy load on his chest and had some difficulty breathing, but truly did not think it was anything else other than heartburn. When he arrived home, his wife Diana, who is currently in the medical field and studying to become a registered nurse, knew that he didn’t look ok. She asked if he was ok, to which he replied yes, but kept a close eye on him. Soon after, Mark felt his arms go numb and asked to be taken to the emergency room. Without hesitation, they were on their way to Sentara Princess Anne Hospital where they concluded he was having a heart attack. He was then treated and then rushed to Sentara Virginia Beach General for immediate surgery. Thankfully, Mark and Diana acted quickly to go to the hospital, and he is now in recovery.

For those of you that personally know him, you know that Mark is kind, he is generous, and is always rooting for everyone’s success. Mark is very driven and his passion to succeed in life stems from those he loves most; his wife, Diana, his two little girls, Mariana and Nika, his loving mom, Marilou, and his late father, Eddie-Boy. Many of you know him from his intense passion for fitness. He’s been on a journey to Olympia and every competition Mark enters, he places. What you may not know about Mark is that this journey started as a result of him losing his father to a heart attack in 2012. He is committed to a healthier life style so that he can continue to be present in his loved one’s lives for as long as God allows him. Mark is the main provider for his family and when his father passed, he moved his mom from New York to Virginia so that he could take care of her. He continues to support his determined wife while she works hard in nursing school and ensures that both of his daughters have all they need, to the best of his ability. We are incredibly grateful that Mark is in recovery, but the recovery time is unpredictable. While his position at UPS is safe due to FMLA, their family’s income will endure some loss. Family and friends, if you are able, on behalf of his family, I am asking for a helping hand. No amount of support is too small and I assure you the Rodriguez family and extended family are so grateful for your time in reading this and any type of support you are able to give.

With Deep Gratitude,

Mary