Mario Rodriguez - Mars Valet & Shuttle Friend

Our dearest friend and colleague in the Southern Californian Wedding and Event Industry, Mars Valet & Shuttle Owner, Mario Rodriguez, AKA  Mars, has been diagnosed with the 2nd most common form of Blood Cancer, Multiple Myeloma (Yet, still a very rare  disease w/ only 30,000 people in the US diagnosed).

Since first starting the business in 2008 in North Hollywood , CA, Mars Valet has always been Mario & his family's form of income, supporting his growing family of 5; his 13 yr old daughter, 11 & 3 yr old sons. Mario throughout the years, has always been ambitious, responsible, hard-working, and the sole provider for his family, his main motivation in life.

Mario's innate drive, strong character and passion, made it possible for Mars Valet to grow into a successful company.  He was then able to open up his second company, Mars Shuttle in 2012.  Since then, Mars Valet and Shuttle have been growing exponentially.  Then came Covid-19!

Despite Covid-19 impacting both companies, and the wedding industry, Mario has not stopped working to provide for his family and responsibility for their bills and livelihood. He is a very proud man and always takes responsibility for his and his family lives. He took on a  job with Instacart. After two months of lifting heavy items and loading them into his car, one day, his back suddenly gave out. It was then, while enduring so much pain,  he decided to go to the hospital. He was  informed that his spine was fractured, causing him excruciating pain, thus inhibiting Mario from working any further. After an X-Ray, MRI, and blood work, his doctor diagnosed him with the blood cancer. What Multiple Myeloma does is weaken your bones and increases the risk of fractures and bone pain.

Compounded by Covid-19,  while also  facing this challenge, the huge medical bills and other compounding bills are not manageable.  Sheila Mayfield from 'Couple License' and 'Whispering Oaks Chapel' and Annette Kirkhuff from 'Wheat and Honey Events have come together to create this fundraiser for Mario. Samantha, his daughter has also joined the team. 

As a family business, Mars Valet and Shuttle is still determined to continue operating under his amazing children, Samantha and Mario 3rd, whom have worked in the family business over the years. Samantha continues to operate the office end, while meanwhile, Mario 3rd continues to operate the valet/shuttle end, PLEASE consider using their services whenever possible to help support the survival of their business.

PLEASE HELP in any way you can! Every dollar will make a difference and will be greatly appreciated by Mario and his family.

THANK YOU!