Warrior for Life: Support Tina's Fight Against Cancer

On behalf of Tina (pictured right), Cindy, and Gemma Rodriguez, we have created this GoFund Me to assist with expenses related to Tina’s treatment and overall quality of life.

As you may know, Tina was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) seven years ago. With Cindy as her amazing caregiver, Tina has lived with a gradual cycle of disease stasis and then progression. There is Breast Cancer (BC) in her bones, liver, and lungs, being treated in a pharmaceutical manner with holistic support that has afforded her to have a good quality of life and watch her daughter grow up. This is something that may not have been possible without many advancements in the treatment of MBC. 

MBC is a chronic disease; it is not curable. It is the Breast Cancer that people die from, and all medical advancements toward it serve to help BC survivors of every stage. With new treatments being developed and approved more rapidly than ever, we live with realistic hope that Tina’s survival will continue to be extended in terms of years. But she will continue to be in active treatment for the rest of her life. To give a sense of this financially, the bills for chemo/cancer medications, procedures, bloodwork, infusions and oncology care from July to September 2024, just three months, totaled $70,000. This does not include bills for an unplanned hospital stay of three days.

Due to a recent regular pattern of illness, fatigue, and disease progression, we are creating this fundraiser to assist Tina, Cindy, and Gemma with their past and ongoing medical expenses and daily living expenses. Cindy has already limited her income over her years as a small business owner to be the full-time, unpaid caregiver for the family. Tina has made the difficult decision to retire after 29 years at the Co-op and apply for Disability benefits.

We’d like this fund to allow their focus to be on spending as much time together as possible as a family and to afford Tina a level of comfort that results in what we hope to be abundant in time, and quality; without the worry of money.

In full and complete transparency, these funds will be utilized to pay for direct and supporting medical expenses, food, utilities, mortgage payments, HOA fees, and any ancillary needs that may arise for Tina’s care.

This is by no means “the end”! There is life left to live and savor, many treatment plans to explore, and a smart and talented oncologist and team.

Your support helps so much. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or if you have ideas on other ways to help our beloved family.

With much love and respect,

Vin & Jess Rodriguez