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Local family needs your help

Contributed by: Stephen Blea on 7/19/2006

I do hope that I got the attention of all my fellow YourHub readers.

I know many of you have read some of my boxing articles on the Cruz family,
World Champion Terri and her niece Brittney.

There is one member of the Cruz family that will never get any press from any sports activities due to the fact that Mark Cruz, like so many other people, has been affected with a history of kidney problems. Mark's daily achievement is badge of courage of trying to stay alive and provide for his family. Mark is a proud young man and he didn't ask me to write this story.

I felt it my heart and took it upon myself to let you all know about Mark and his health issues and most importantly to seek your support as a community in helping this young man and his family.

I have had some community support so far from the bank manager of Washinton Mutual Bank of Thornton, Mr. Kristopher Walters and senoir teller Gina, whom were gracious enough to open a bank account for Markand Maria Cruz. As for myself I plan on donating part of my earnings from my future boxing fights for the next year.

Here's my story on Mark Cruz:

Mark Cruz, age 30, father of two childern and husband.
Mark got sick at the age of 11 years old. A case of strep throat travled to his kidneys and did serious damage to them. Mark had his first kidney transplant at 17.

Unfortunatley, that lasted only a mere three years and he had to have another transplant at the age of 23. Finally, it was thought Mark could live a have normal life.

Until this year. Mark has been in and out of the hospital 13 times in 2006. Mark's kidney is starting to fail again. Mark is unable to work and he is not able to breathe on his own.

In the meantime, nobody is supporting Mark's family and they have had to move in with Mark's mom, who can barely support herself, but is making the sacrifice for Mark and his wife Maria, and their sons: Marquis age 4 and Isaih age 3.

The doctors are telling the family even at a level of 20 percent Mark can have some kind of lifestyle functionality. It's not possible for Mark to get assistance until his kidney fails him completely.

Unfortunately, every time Mark tries to work he ends up back in the hospital emergency room. Mark must always use an oxygen machine at all times due to the fact he has trouble breathing on his own.

At the age of 30, the doctors say that Mark has the body of a 65 year-old man. The Cruz family has no health insurance. As of this writting, they trying to get Medicaid.
With your help, we can help this family! Thank you and God bless you all!

A trust fundhas been set-up at:
Washington Mutual Bank/Mark and Maria Cruz
3790 E 104th Ave
Thornton, CO 80233 303-280-2057


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Showing 1-4 of 4 comments
Submitted By: Stephen Blea
posted on 1/3/2007 @ 11:28:15 AM
Rated Story
Please reprint this story and comments in 2007!
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Stephen Blea
posted on 1/3/2007 @ 11:19:26 AM
Rated Story
Dear Pastor Gonzales, Thank-you for your concerns, and yes this family is in dire need, and sadly to say Mark's mother Hazel whom they stay with is in much need as well. Hazel Cruz has recently ran out of medical insurance that was covering her medications for her liver transplant that she had. This family not only needs alot of prayer but some medical assistance and community support and well advised information as well. to contact Mark or Hazel Cruz here's a phone number 303-404-2345. I am sorry I had not replied sooner, I have been and out of the country for the past few months and I just became aware of these situations. I know the family would appeciate any help in these matters. Thank-you and God Bless!
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Michael Gonzales
posted on 8/20/2006 @ 11:22:02 AM
(Not Rated)
Stephen, are there other needs that can be met for this family? Food? Clothes?
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Stephen Blea
posted on 7/19/2006 @ 12:33:34 PM
Rated Story
Thank-You for printing this story, I do hope it touches others hearts as it did mine. I do know that there are others in our community that are in dire need, and some times the system let's them slip through the cracks. " Love thy Neighbor as thy self" and our God will Bless those that that Bless others!
[Report as objectionable]
Showing 1-4 of 4 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Stephen Blea

Denver , CO

Stephen Blea has posted 20 stories and 4 comments since joining on 11/3/2005. Stephen Blea 's average story rating is 4.97.
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