Support Martie's Fight Against Leukemia

Hello, my name is Jessica, and I am the goddaughter/niece of Martie Evans. I am starting this fundraiser on behalf of my Nina and cousin Jacque. First and foremost, thank you all for the support and prayers you have extended to our family during this time. Prayers alone have made her hopeless situation turn into treatment and hopefully recovery.

For the last 37 years Martie has lived with a blood disease that doctors told her would eventually turn into leukemia. It was never an IF but a WHEN that time would come. In those 37 years Martie has been a faithful woman of God, loving wife, supportive mother, amazing Ama, caring daughter, sister, aunt and friend to so many. Doing it all with so much class and style! She is the epitome of a woman who has lived her life to please God and trusts Him in all things.

April of this year Martie was forced into retirement but was looking forward to finally be able to relax and enjoy life. In June she was diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) which is a cancer of the bone marrow and the blood that progresses rapidly without treatment. At time of diagnosis she was told 40% of her cells were affected. Things quickly began to progress with her being extremely tired and weak. On June 28th she was taken to the emergency room with a painful headache. She would spend the next 5 days in the emergency room awaiting approval from USC to be transferred and begin treatment for the leukemia.

July 3rd Martie was transferred to USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center to begin treatment. Doctors were very adamant that because of Martie's age and the aggression of the leukemia, the treatment may not work and for her and Jacque not to get their hopes up. In the end our God is the final say and ultimate healer so they both said let's do this, Lord we trust in You!

After numerous tests and a bone marrow biopsy it has been found that 90% of her cells are now affected. She will need several rounds of chemo and eventually have to have a bone marrow transplant. A plan was put in place for the first round of chemo that will last 21 days which she has started. More rounds will be needed with an estimated 40 to 70 days at least that she will be in the hospital. During this time Jacque has been with her Mom leaving a fiancé and two small boys at home to be her mothers support and advocate all well dealing with her own health issues that tend to be painful and uncomfortable. But still, she remains right by her Mom's side. Jacque is on Summer vacation from her job so she is able to be at the hospital but will eventually have to go back to work and also back to CSUB where she is enrolled to complete her senior year to obtain her bachelor’s degree. Once treatments are done Martie will be released from the hospital but has been asked to stay close to the LA area in any case of an emergency. This means having to find a place to stay in a city with no familiarity or resources.

Jacque has expenses staying at the hospital right now as they do not offer many services to patients and their families, as well as expenses back home that will begin to pile up. I made a promise to my Nina that no matter what happens Jacque will never be in this alone as we all know her father Randy passed away 5 years ago and Jacque is an only child. So, I am coming to all of you to humbly ask for any donation to help relieve some stress of the uncertainties ahead. Any money raised will go directly to Martie and Jacque to be used in finding housing in the LA area or cover any expenses accumulated during this time.

Again, thank you for your support and please check here for updates as Jacque will be trying to keep everyone in the loop. Lastly, as you all know Martie is a woman of God and her faith is what is keeping her strong and positive in this fight so prayers are the most important part of her journey. Please keep them coming!

Thank you form the bottom of my heart,

Jessica

Proverbs 31:25-31

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate"