Dear Friends, Family, and Kind-hearted Strangers,

Today, I come to you with a plea from the deepest corners of my heart. My mother, Azucena Maribel Martinez is a beautiful and courageous woman. She has been fighting stage IV ovarian cancer for the past two years. Her battle has been marked by immense pain, multiple surgeries, and relentless chemotherapy treatments that have drained her physically and mentally.

Azucena Maribel symbolizes strength and resilience, but now she faces crippling despair. Her deteriorating health has rendered her unable to work or leave the house unassisted, and the weight of her duties as a provider weighs on her greatly. She only receives financial aid from Social Security Disability and myself. She struggles to make ends meet and faces the terrifying prospect that she might lose everything she works so hard for.

My mother was orphaned in El Salvador as a child and sought a better life in the United States as a young woman. She poured every ounce of her being into raising my sister and me. She worked tirelessly for over thirty years as a housekeeper and nanny in Houston, Texas. She provided everything for us as a single mother. Her sacrifices knew no bounds and she ensured that we had the opportunities and stability that she never did.

Now my mother's dreams and achievements are crumbling before her eyes. She lives with and supports her oldest daughter and two young grandchildren. She yearns for the day she can regain her health and strength. The pain in my mom’s soul is palpable as she watches time slip away, taking with it any hope of financial stability and confidence to provide for her grandchildren as she did for us.

With your support, Maribel can let go of the stress and worry that suffocates her. She can have the chance to breathe, heal, and rebuild her life. Each donation brings us closer to a future where she can find stability and support our family again. She can give her grandchildren the love and care they deserve without worrying about lost income due to her condition.

I humbly request that you share my mother's story with others. Maribel’s story serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life, the injustices suffered by the most vulnerable among us, and the power we possess to make a difference. May your contribution serve as a lifeline, offering my mother a chance to embrace a future filled with hope, healing, and the opportunity to rebuild her life.

I want you all to know that I share this with you in deep sorrow. After much consideration, we have decided that Maribel’s 2nd immunotherapy treatment will be her last, as she cannot endure it anymore. We ask for your support, prayers, and any assistance you can offer during this difficult journey. Let's surround my mother, Azucena Maribel, with love and strength as she faces this final leg of her battle.

*Update 8/15/23*

Our beloved mother's health has taken a turn, and her hospice nurses believe that her time left with us is limited, ranging from 2 weeks to 2 months. May we make these remaining moments as beautiful and meaningful as possible.

With a heavy heart and boundless gratitude,

Santiago "Jimmy" Facundo III

Giovanna Facundo

Patsy & Phoenix