Medical Fund
Donation protected
David Santiago was born on 11/6/1976 in Brooklyn, New York in the Long Island Hospital. He was a loving son to Milagros Rivera and Juan Baptista Santiago and a wonderful brother to Elizabeth Santiago Grabill, Juan Santiago, Melinda and Raul Cachonegrete. He was also a fun loving uncle to Aleacia Miller and a best friend and brother to David Traxler.
He graduated from Coral Gables High School in 1995, where he played sports. after graduation, he enlisted in the Army and was in the Reserves for 8 years. He was a technician for the Operating Room while in the army. He was deployed to Panama for the return of the Panama Canal in 1997. After graduating with his bachelors in arts degree, he worked for Baptist Hospital in Kendall as an Emergency Room technician. In 2007, David decided to go back to college for a culinary degree, something that he always wished to do. Throughout those years, he entered several BBQ competitions, worked for restaurants in Disney and Universal, and especially enjoyed grilling for friends and family. In 2013, David returned to school to follow yet another one of his dreams, to study nuclear medicine. He finished his course work in 2015, but never had to opportunity to practice in a medical office. David also was a teacher at Fienberg/Fisher Elementary a substitute in Orlando and Miami from 2006-2016. Over the last two years, Mr. Santiago was a beloved substitute at Doctors Charter School, where all students and staff will miss his smile, humor, and sarcasm.
In February of 2001, David met his soul mate, Yesenia Marichal, and they fell madly in love. The couple enjoyed travelling and experiencing new things together. Some of their adventures included travelling across the United States to Las Vegas, California, North/South Carolina, Tennessee, New York, Arizona, Georgia, Washington State, etc. They took a magical trip to Europe in 2007, where they traveled to several different countries on a family cruise. In July 2016, the family took an unforgettable Alaskan Cruise. One of their favorite things to do was to visit the Happiest Place on Earth, Walt Disney World.
On September 6, 2009, David and Yesenia had a magical wedding on Disney's Boardwalk, where they celebrated with their closes friends and family. And on March 25, 2010, David and Yesenia welcomed their little princess, Izabella Marie Santiago. Izabella is an amazing little girl with many talents. She loves to sing, dance, and play the piano.
In September 2016, David was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Esophagus. After several complicated situations with infections, abscesses and risky surgeries, David was hospitalized over and over again during the months of October, November and December. His last few weeks were spent in the CVICU and ICU at Aventura Hospital where he had amazing nurses and doctors trying to save and prolong his precious life. We are eternally grateful to Julio Acosta, one of our nurses in CVICU, Margaret Perez, our case manager in the ICU, Dr. Mauricio Dankers, Dr. Eric Corder, and of course Dr. Mohi Mitiek.
David was a funny, caring, and loving son, brother, husband and father. He loved his wife and daughter deeply and fought these last four months for them. He will live on in their memories and in their hearts.
This account is being established to help Yesenia with immediate suport to care for her family and prepare for medical expense and memorial service.
Thank you so much,
Rodolfo Sardina
He graduated from Coral Gables High School in 1995, where he played sports. after graduation, he enlisted in the Army and was in the Reserves for 8 years. He was a technician for the Operating Room while in the army. He was deployed to Panama for the return of the Panama Canal in 1997. After graduating with his bachelors in arts degree, he worked for Baptist Hospital in Kendall as an Emergency Room technician. In 2007, David decided to go back to college for a culinary degree, something that he always wished to do. Throughout those years, he entered several BBQ competitions, worked for restaurants in Disney and Universal, and especially enjoyed grilling for friends and family. In 2013, David returned to school to follow yet another one of his dreams, to study nuclear medicine. He finished his course work in 2015, but never had to opportunity to practice in a medical office. David also was a teacher at Fienberg/Fisher Elementary a substitute in Orlando and Miami from 2006-2016. Over the last two years, Mr. Santiago was a beloved substitute at Doctors Charter School, where all students and staff will miss his smile, humor, and sarcasm.
In February of 2001, David met his soul mate, Yesenia Marichal, and they fell madly in love. The couple enjoyed travelling and experiencing new things together. Some of their adventures included travelling across the United States to Las Vegas, California, North/South Carolina, Tennessee, New York, Arizona, Georgia, Washington State, etc. They took a magical trip to Europe in 2007, where they traveled to several different countries on a family cruise. In July 2016, the family took an unforgettable Alaskan Cruise. One of their favorite things to do was to visit the Happiest Place on Earth, Walt Disney World.
On September 6, 2009, David and Yesenia had a magical wedding on Disney's Boardwalk, where they celebrated with their closes friends and family. And on March 25, 2010, David and Yesenia welcomed their little princess, Izabella Marie Santiago. Izabella is an amazing little girl with many talents. She loves to sing, dance, and play the piano.
In September 2016, David was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Esophagus. After several complicated situations with infections, abscesses and risky surgeries, David was hospitalized over and over again during the months of October, November and December. His last few weeks were spent in the CVICU and ICU at Aventura Hospital where he had amazing nurses and doctors trying to save and prolong his precious life. We are eternally grateful to Julio Acosta, one of our nurses in CVICU, Margaret Perez, our case manager in the ICU, Dr. Mauricio Dankers, Dr. Eric Corder, and of course Dr. Mohi Mitiek.
David was a funny, caring, and loving son, brother, husband and father. He loved his wife and daughter deeply and fought these last four months for them. He will live on in their memories and in their hearts.
This account is being established to help Yesenia with immediate suport to care for her family and prepare for medical expense and memorial service.
Thank you so much,
Rodolfo Sardina
Organizer and beneficiary
Rodolfo Sardina
Organizer
Hialeah, FL
Yesenia Santiago
Beneficiary