Patrick's Purpose

A little bit of backstory, Cpl. Duva enlisted into the USMC in 2009, was stationed with the 2/3 Marines, Weapons Company as a 0341 Mortarman in Hawaii. He deployed to Nawa-I-Barakzayi District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan from 2010 to 2011. He left the USMC in 2013. Approximately 2.5 years ago, Cpl. Duva began having severe headaches, double vision and severe spinal/back pain. He went to the East Orange VAMC and was given an x-ray (Feb. 2018), the providers stated "everything looked fine and chronic back pain is common in veterans" and sent Cpl. Duva home. After his symptoms continued, he went back and had a vision test where the opthamologist saw spots on his brain, he was then sent for an "emergent MRI" that took weeks to get, he was diagnosed with a pineal gland tumor on his brain which subsequently affected his central nervous system and caused him to go blind, the official diagnosis was a germinoma (rare pediatric brain cancer) in June 2018.

After receiving chemotherapy and radiation, his cancer was "gone" per his providers. It came back strong and he has fought since. Last friday, September 11th, 2020 he was placed in hospice and end-of-life care at home. He cannot see, eat, drink and can barely speak aside, telling his mother and fiance at his bedside that he loves them. He is 29 years old and has a few days left to live.

*All proceeds raised by Patrick's Purpose will be donated to helping Veterans in need of help with medical bills.*

Patrick's Family is currently setting up a foundation in his honor. 

Please Keep Patrick and his family in your prayers during this difficult time.