<div>Hi Everyone,
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<div>My name is Christal Ortiz, and I’m reaching out on behalf of my parents — Ed Kokaska and Lisa Diamond.
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<div>To say this year has been a whirlwind would be an understatement. It started with heartbreak when my mom, Lisa, suffered a stroke after years of battling her own health issues. Watching her fight to recover was difficult enough, but we had no idea that our world was about to be shaken even more.
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<div>Shortly after Lisa’s stroke, my dad, Ed began experiencing severe stomach pain, shortness of breath, and an irregular heartbeat. After multiple hospital visits, tests, and uncertainty, we received his diagnoses. <strong>Sarcoidosis and MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome), a form of blood cancer.</strong>
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<div><strong>Sarcoidosis is a rare disease where clusters of inflamed cells form in the body. In my dad’s case, they’ve been found on his lungs and liver</strong>. <strong>MDS is even more serious, a life-threatening cancer that affects the bone marrow’s ability to produce healthy blood cells.</strong> These diagnoses were shocking. My dad has always been strong and rarely sick. He is the kind of man who took pride in taking care of others and never asked for anything in return.
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<div>For over 40 years, my dad has worked as a licensed plumbing contractor, often in hospitals making sure that critical water systems are running safely so doctors and nurses can do their jobs. <strong>He’s always found purpose in helping others, quietly serving behind the scenes, often putting in long hours without complaint.</strong>
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<div>But now, the work he once loved is too dangerous for him. His immune system is compromised, and every day on the job puts his life at risk. As a self-employed contractor, being unable to work means no income. And with Lisa unable to work due to her own health, my dad is carrying the financial burden of both of them while battling a life-threatening illness.
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<div>He’s been through so many iron infusions, blood transfusions, painful biopsies, and countless tests. <strong>Now he’s preparing for the biggest fight of all, a bone marrow transplant. A donor has been found, and his transplant is scheduled! </strong>He’s ready, he’s physically and mentally prepared, but he can’t do it alone.
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<div>The recovery period is long. At least 100 days where he won’t be able to work at all, and possibly much longer. <strong>During this time, we’re asking for help to ease the financial pressure so he can focus on healing, not on how to pay for rent, food, gas, or the mounting medical bills that continue to come in.</strong>
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<div>If you can donate, even a small amount, it would mean the world to our family. If you can’t, please consider sharing this page or simply keeping Ed and Lisa in your thoughts and prayers.
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<div>Thank you for reading, for caring, and for standing with us during this difficult chapter of our lives.
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