Kathy Ramirez is a childhood family friend. The grow up together, be her "babysitter," go on family vacations together, go to the same church and school kind of friend. Her family gave me the honor to draft the text for her GoFundMe description. Their journey makes my heart hurt all the time. Here is the final:
It
was six months ago and yet it still feels unreal.
On
the Sunday night of Memorial Day weekend, David Ramirez, 47, suffered a sudden
and unexpected aortic aneurysm while in his home with his family. His
wife, Kathy Ramirez, was suffering from congestive heart failure, on oxygen,
and hoping to gain enough strength to get back to battling metastatic breast
cancer with more rounds of chemotherapy. Their young teenaged children,
Emily and John, were trying to figure out how to navigate their lives with a
mom who was in her second battle against breast cancer when they had to face
the sudden loss of their dad. Friends and family who had been walking
with them and praying with them for Kathy’s healing could not have imagined
that they’d have to face the unexpected loss of David.
There
are no words to express how heartbroken everyone is right now. We lost a
wonderful man whose winsome personality and generous spirit had been a blessing
and encouragement to many.
Life
with its mix of struggles and happiness continues to move forward for all of
us, but when we face our difficulties we remember Kathy and her children and we
gain strength to overcome. Whatever challenges we have in this season, we
know it is so much more difficult for Kathy and her kids as she continues her
very tough battle with metastatic breast cancer and still raise young
teenagers. Kathy has not been able to work due to the effects of the
cancer, the ugly side effects of treatment and complications of her congenital
heart defect. Yet the everyday life and her healthcare bills keep coming
in.
Their
life has essentially been turned upside down.
KATHY,
EMILY, and JOHN NEED OUR HELP LIKE NEVER BEFORE.
The
financial ramifications of all of this are piling up. Loss of a second
income, loss of wages, unexpected increase in costs across the board for
medical insurance and medical expenses continue to cause a great amount of
stress, anguish and financial instability. Plus a new reality that she is
now facing this battle without her husband, and the kids, without their dad.
We continue to hope and pray for provision for her, and most of all a
miracle in healing while wish there was more that we can do.
Kathy
and her family continue to be humbled by the outpouring of support and help.
Your kind and encouraging words, healing prayers, and the many supportive
and helpful hands are more than anyone could ask for and we thank you from the
bottom of our hearts.
Monies
raised will go to meet immediate day to day expenses as well put toward The
Ramirez Family Trust that has been set up for Emily and John’s future provision
and education.
