Save My Sister's Life

Martie Marston is my 'baby sister' who desperately needs help.  She has been battling Autoimmune Hepatitis for over a year.  The latest CT scan shows a tumor is causing liver failure and surgery to remove the tumor is urgent.  Her liver, kidneys, pancreas, heart and muscle tissue are severely affected and she has lost 69 pounds.  Medication and diet and lifestyle changes have helped but are only a 'band aid' while waiting for surgery. Our family and many of  Martie's friends have been helping and supporting her but we have exhausted our resources.  Martie battled leukemia which is in remission and spent her savings on what insurance does not pay. In her attempt to start a simple and happy lifel in Mexico, she had a bad real estate transaction resulting in a $100,000 USD loss. So we are pleading to all compassionate souls to donate anything you can for my sister's life saving surgery.  Five expensive medications daily, lab work, and tests have already incurred $11,000 USD.  The surgery is estimated to be $15,000 USD if done in Merida, Mexico where there is excellent (and much more affordable) health care.  Pre-surgery tests and lab work are needed immediatey which is approximately $3,000 USD.  We are also hoping to raise the pre and post surgery costs and to help support Martie when she can not work. Martie is a kind and compassionate person who has volunteered with and donated to many charities.  She is always the first to help someone in need.  She was full of life, active, fun, worked hard and enjoyed life.  She is now weak, has little appetite, is losing her hair and is in chronic pain.  Although she is filled with pride and does not like to ask for 'favors' she is accepting all help now as it is so serious.  Martie has battled leukemia, being robbed and severely beaten, skull fractures, broken back,  ruptured discs, and has had numerous broken bones, arthritis  and two autoimmune diseases.  We know that everyone believes she deserves a break and to be happy and healthy again!  Even with all of her serious problems, she stays positive and smiles often; she says she doesn't want to bring others down. Local fund raising events are being planned along with this international plea for help.  Time is of the essence or the organs will fail or abdominal wall is severely weakened, resulting in death.  We are praying too that the tumor is benign ... but dealing with each step as it occurs. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide (prayers too) and please share this with your contacts.   We will continue to update this page and Martie's hopeful progress.   Best Wishes to All Who Read This ---  Wendy M Wilke, Martie's oldest sister *** The photos are of Martie (far left), and her sisters, Liz (center) and myself (far right) with our mother (who will be 94 years old soon!); Healthy Martie in 2015; and Martie today.