Hello my name is Bekka and I’m raising money for a co-worker DAVE MOTZ, who was just diagnosed with cancer. He can no longer work and has taken time off to start his healing journey.

Navigating Stage 3 Cancer without insurance

Makes an already scary and stressful battle much more difficult. Sharing our story may help someone else facing a cancer diagnosis find support in their time of crisis.

Dave and Faren met in 1991 in Ft Lauderdale and it was truly love at first sight. In 1992 they made the crazy decision to move to Maui, married in 1993 and became proud parents to three children raised on island time.

Dave was always the primary support while Faren was a homemaker and a homeschool Mom. Dave has always been Faren’s Hero, but he was also a hero to many as a Maui Firefighter and coach for youth sports. After leaving the department they opened a small business that aimed to bring joy to children through farm and animal experiences on the beautiful North Shore of Maui. Dave bartended at the famous Mama’s Fish House and had amazing insurance benefits that filled the gap while growing their business.

Then 2 weeks to flatten the curve became a yearlong shutdown that destroyed their business, left them without insurance and forced them to make the heartbreaking decision to leave their beloved Maui and return to the free State of Florida.

The first year was tough, they found restaurant jobs, lived in an RV, scrimped and saved and finally became home owners in 2025. Feeling proud, positive and excited for the future, they were on the road to a new normal. Unfortunately it’s tough to work enough hours to qualify for insurance in the restaurant industry and very expensive to acquire through the marketplace when you make over the income cap. Between a rock and a hard place so to speak, gambling on the hope that this wouldn’t be the year they would need it.

Then a discovery of a small lump on Dave’s neck. Out of pocket visits to a clinic, then an ENT. Three rounds of antibiotics hoping it was just an infection or undetermined inflammation. The lump grew larger and then came a referral for a CT scan, 2 separate FNA biopsies and a PET scan. All leading to a strong possibility of Cancer. At this time they had spent approximately 5K to determine a diagnosis, but without a surgical biopsy the Doctor just couldn’t be sure and they were referred to an Oncologist. The fee to look at all the tests and reports would be $1350. Estimated cost for surgery over 20K. It grew larger in such a short amount of time they were concerned it would be a much complicated procedure and could cost even more. Faren started researching how to afford cancer care without insurance on ChatGPT and Grok and made several calls to teaching and charity hospitals throughout the State. The last call, one she almost didn’t make because she thought it would be too expensive, would be the one that changed everything.

The consultation was scheduled within a few days and only cost $150. The surgeon took one look and advised immediate surgery for biopsy. They explained their situation and she said don’t worry, we will take care of you. She was right! Advent Health in Celebration has an unbelievable team of people that help you find funding, resources and assistance to support you through your diagnosis in the most caring and effective way. Although their campus is a 2 hr drive from their home it was the best choice for the treatment plan to follow.

Since then, he has endured a massive surgery removing lymph nodes, part of his tongue, his tonsil, and his jugular vein — and was hospitalized for close to a week during a very difficult recovery. He now faces weeks of exhausting radiation and chemotherapy treatments ahead.

Watching someone you love suffer while feeling powerless to stop it is a heartbreak Faren cannot put into words. The physical pain, emotional fear, constant travel for treatment, lost income, and growing financial stress have pushed this family beyond what they ever imagined they could handle alone.

Dave is fighting with everything he has, and Faren is standing beside him and advocating for him every step of the way. They know that God has a plan for them and they will never give up. Prayers and Gratitude are their sustenance although they hope for support from our community. We are asking for help so he can focus on surviving this disease instead of worrying about how they will afford gas, bills, meals, rental car, and the endless costs that come with cancer treatment.

If you can donate, share their story, or simply pray for this family, please know it truly matters. Every kindness reminds them that they are not fighting this battle alone.