Celebration of Life Expenses for Jacob

Hi, my name is Amanda Martinez and I am one of Jacob’s sisters. Jacob was my big bruzzy and I am the one organizing this fundraiser for his celebration of life.

On behalf of our mom Sally R. Heet, our dad Rene Martinez, our stepmom Laneta M. Martinez, our stepdad Steve A. Heet and our immediate siblings, we extend a warm thank you for all the kindness, love and support we have received from family, friends and personal friends of Jakes who we haven’t got the chance to meet yet. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

We have received many messages from family and friends with kind words and memories about our Jake. We thank you all kindly for that. A lot of people have asked how or what they can do to help and as much as we wish we could tell you a specific thing you could do or bring, this is the easiest way to give back to Jacob and give him a very special celebration of life that he deserves.

Jacob spent the last 14 months of his life battling stage 4 gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. In February 2022, at the time of my brothers diagnosis, he was living in Scottsdale, AZ and decided it would be best to move back home so his family could help him fight the cancer.

Around the beginning of December 2022 Jacob got salmonella poisoning and took quite a few weeks for his body to recover from it. After being given the green light to continue treatments, he’d gone a full 6 weeks without. On continuation with treatments he seemed to get his spirits back up after being in and out of the hospital with salmonella poisoning issues.

Come March 2023 he was starting to get a little weaker and more sleepy. Week by week followed becoming less mobile and more dependent on assistance. Taking more naps and just moving a little more slowly around.

When the scan to check his cancerous spots came back it showed that his cancer had grown more in the main site and other areas. At this time Jacob’s doctor suggested a more aggressive treatment, if Jacob was up to it; in which he agreed.

Jacob started the new treatment plan on Friday, April 14th and slowly started to decline a couple days after up until he passed comfortably and peacefully at home in his sleep.

My brother was an amazing human. He was witty, fun, could be a smart ass most of the time and truly put the needs and feelings of other before his own. He would take the shirt off his back or shoes off his feet for a friend or stranger in need. He will be greatly missed not just by his family, but his friends and many connections he made all across his lifetime.

His services are being arranged at this time. When we have everything finalized we will let everyone know and update it on here as well. Thank you.