Donate to Help Gina BEAT Pancreatic Cancer!, organized by Paolo Cruz

Product Description

Hey everyone! Paolo here reaching out on behalf of my mom, Marigin (Gina) Cruz. This past week my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Tough news, but we’re already looking forward to taking it head on and beating this thing! For those who don’t know my mom, here’s a bit of her story. Her and my dad came to Staten Island, NY, in the 80’s from the Philippines because my brother needed open heart surgery at 2 years old. They worked odd jobs (they both actually worked at the same Dunkin Donuts at one point lol) and hopped around friends/family houses until she was able to get her nursing license. In the late 90’s to about 2003, we grew in Haledon, NJ, in a ratty two family house that at the time seemed like a palace. After 7 years, my dad and my mother, who was working 2 nursing shifts at the time, were able to move me and my 3 siblings into the suburbs of Bergen County. A complete change in environment, for the best. Although we were now out of the “hood,” We really did not have much but we had each other, which is all that mattered. I think this pretty much sums up what I’m trying to explain. After 21 years, in 2024, they were finally able to sell the house we grew up in, in NJ, so that they can finally start to build their own home in the Philippines. After 40 years of struggle, sacrifice but more importantly love, determination and positivity it seemed like things were starting to go “our way.” Here they are, after 9 months of starting to live their dreams back in the Philippines, we get this news during their visit back to the US to see their kids. Current situation: My mom and dad are currently in NJ with my sisters, wrapping up a series of tests to figure out the next move. Being that my parents are since retired, they currently do not have health insurance and would not be able to get covered in NJ until enrollment season, in November. Not ideal. Thankfully, California (where my brother and I live) has a bit more flexibility around health insurance. Pending approval on the insurance, the plan is to move my parents to SF in the next week, and start to reach out and find a surgeon & an oncologist as soon as possible. This is obviously unknown territory for my family, so I’m not really sure what the next step is or what I’m asking for. However, I’m sure that even with the pending insurance, there will be expenses and curveballs thrown our way. If you know me or my family, it’s not really in our DNA to ask for anything. Everything you have in this life is earned through hard work and good decisions BUT at the same time be generous and give to those who never asked for help. That is how we were raised. I swallow my pride out of confusion, fear and the sense of helplessness. Don’t get me wrong, we’re ready for the fight and we’re ready to win! Yes, I’m asking for donations but honestly getting this message out in return for a prayer or any information that might help us out is all I can ask for. Thanks for sticking with the story and I appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers ahead of time. Love you all!

Donate to Help Gina BEAT Pancreatic Cancer!, organized by Paolo Cruz

Donate to Help Gina BEAT Pancreatic Cancer!, organized by Paolo Cruz

Price Valid Until: 1970-01-01