Healing for Israel
Donation protected
With a heavy heart, I am creating this page to support my cousin, Israel Benitez. At only age 25, Israel was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumor. GBM is the most aggressive form of cancer that can develop in the brain or spinal cord. Life expectancy with standard treatment is 12 months. Israel will have to undergo intense chemo and radiation therapy.
Before ever imagining that something like this could happen to him, Israel was a healthy young man. He worked out and ate right and never had any illnesses or hospitalizations. One day he had a severe headache that sent him to his local ER. The medical team had been getting ready to send him home with some pills to alleviate his headache but someone decided to do a cat scan (CT scan). It was here where they found a mass in his brain and from there he was immediately transferred to Westchester Medical Center where he underwent a partial surgery to relieve the buildup of spinal fluid that had been accumulating in his brain. Less than two weeks later he received the diagnosis.
Israel has always put everyone else’s needs first before his own. He volunteered with Americorps and FEMA and traveled across the country bringing aid to many needed communities. Soon after completing nearly a year tour with AmeriCorps, Israel wished to continue serving his country. He did so and joined the military. Israel proudly serves in United States Army National Guard.He has deployed to Iraq among other places and says that if he could do it again he would because he loves his country.
Now I ask you to please find it in your hearts to make a contribution. He currently lives at home with his mother and youngest sister and is the head of household. However, If he undergoes treatment, he will be traveling back and forth from upstate New York to New York City on a daily basis. He will no longer be able to drive or work and will have to focus on building his strength to endure these next months of chemo and radiation.
Your contributions will help pay for Israel’s travel expenses, medical-related costs, and help cover some of his personal expenses such as his food and rent. Any donation is so greatly appreciated.
If you cannot contribute monetarily, I ask you to say a prayer for him and if you can keep him in your prayers, we would be so grateful. Lastly, I ask that you share this page with your friends and loved ones. God bless you all.
"Your name will no longer be Jacob," he said. "It will be Israel because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed."-Genesis 32:38
Before ever imagining that something like this could happen to him, Israel was a healthy young man. He worked out and ate right and never had any illnesses or hospitalizations. One day he had a severe headache that sent him to his local ER. The medical team had been getting ready to send him home with some pills to alleviate his headache but someone decided to do a cat scan (CT scan). It was here where they found a mass in his brain and from there he was immediately transferred to Westchester Medical Center where he underwent a partial surgery to relieve the buildup of spinal fluid that had been accumulating in his brain. Less than two weeks later he received the diagnosis.
Israel has always put everyone else’s needs first before his own. He volunteered with Americorps and FEMA and traveled across the country bringing aid to many needed communities. Soon after completing nearly a year tour with AmeriCorps, Israel wished to continue serving his country. He did so and joined the military. Israel proudly serves in United States Army National Guard.He has deployed to Iraq among other places and says that if he could do it again he would because he loves his country.
Now I ask you to please find it in your hearts to make a contribution. He currently lives at home with his mother and youngest sister and is the head of household. However, If he undergoes treatment, he will be traveling back and forth from upstate New York to New York City on a daily basis. He will no longer be able to drive or work and will have to focus on building his strength to endure these next months of chemo and radiation.
Your contributions will help pay for Israel’s travel expenses, medical-related costs, and help cover some of his personal expenses such as his food and rent. Any donation is so greatly appreciated.
If you cannot contribute monetarily, I ask you to say a prayer for him and if you can keep him in your prayers, we would be so grateful. Lastly, I ask that you share this page with your friends and loved ones. God bless you all.
"Your name will no longer be Jacob," he said. "It will be Israel because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed."-Genesis 32:38
Fundraising team: Fundraising team (3)
Stephanie Benitez
Organizer
Newburgh, NY
Israel Benitez
Team member
Rafa Benitez
Team member
