Chrissy's Crusade to Kick Cancers Ass!

Dear Friends, family and community of Chrissy, Jeff and their son Jeffrie,

We have started this GoFundMe page to help support Chrissy Martinez and her family but largely because of the number of requests from her friends asking where or how they can donate to help. As Chrissy and her family undertake a fierce fight against Ampullary Cancer, we can show them our support by helping ease some of the unexpected financial burdens that come with battling this terrible disease.

In August of this year, Chrissy had been experiencing symptoms of what was thought to be pancreatitis. After numerous visits to the ER and a series of CT scans and MRIs, the doctors found a blockage in her bile ducts which required stents to be put in place. During the procedure the doctors found a mass in the Ampulla of Vater. Upon further testing - she was diagnosed with Ampullary Cancer. This is a very rare cancer which accounts for less than 1% of all cancers affecting the gastrointestinal tract and usually diagnosed in men over the age of 70 – very rarely in a younger woman like Chrissy.

The best treatment during early stages is to undergo a procedure known as the Whipple surgery to retract the tumor. Unfortunately, when Chrissy was diagnosed the doctors found the cancer had already advanced to Stage 4. Because it had metastasized to her liver and potentially other areas, immediate removal of the tumors could not be performed. Instead, the doctors pivoted to a plan of aggressive chemo and immunotherapy treatments right away to begin fighting the spread. The plan is to get the cancer under control, to a point where it is hopefully safe to perform the Whipple surgery, remove the tumors followed up by additional chemo and be cancer free!!

Chrissy's at the beginning of what will be a long hard journey. She began treatments in Mid-September and will continue for 4-6 months. Once the doctors can perform the surgery it will require several trips to specialists in NYC and overnight stays. This will lead to Jeff, her husband, needing to be out of work at times to be by her side to help them all get through those days together. This is a marathon, not a sprint, the costs will begin to add up for them, more likely above and beyond what they could expect or be prepared for.

For those of you who know our sister Chrissy - most likely either through softball, pool league, or just through friends and family, know she's devoted to her family and caring for others. She is a force in our community when it comes to showing up, especially when it comes to our senior citizens and animals. During Covid, Chrissy established the Facebook site "Helping Our Senior Citizens of Edison", she and her son went on a personal mission to ensure as many seniors as possible in Edison were cared for. They gathered donations, delivered meals and care packages as well provided much needed companionship for the duration of Covid.

Chrissy is strong and has a positive attitude, she's ready for this battle! We are proud of her strength and want to show her that we support her and that while she faces this and times will be tough - she is not alone, we're all here for her!

If you would like to contribute, please do so here and this GoFundMe account will be provided to Chrissy and her family. Hopefully we can help provide them with some relief aside from everything else they will be dealing with.

Thank you for your support, love and prayers - they are truly appreciated!