Pleasanton Raises $50K For Cherished Teacher's Cancer Care

PLEASANTON, CA — Foothill High School teacher Greg "Marty" Martinez is the kind of teacher who reschedules plans to write college recommendation letters for his students, every one of them from scratch. His classroom stays open for students who don't have a place to sit at lunch, and his students seek him out for advice on life and school alike. Many of his students pick Martinez to hand them their diplomas on graduation day.

Some students call him "Superman" and gifted him a T-shirt with the superhero's insignia; that shirt is now framed, hanging on his classroom wall.

Martinez has made a lifelong impact on some of the students he's served in the 22 years he's spent as a teacher, said sister Julia Benson. And now that he's facing a difficult surgery Thursday to remove a tumor found wrapped around a nerve on a upper leg main artery, his community and students are ready to give back.

To the tune of $54,000.

"There's certain people that stand out in your life, and my brother's one of them," Benson said. "He just comes alive when he can teach his students."

On March 2 Benson said she started a GoFundMe page for her brother when he said he needed financial help ahead of his surgery. Benson initially intended to use the money not to help cover medical bills, but to help him pay rent while he embarked on what was likely to be a long and difficult recovery.

The community's response to her plea was swift and overwhelming.

"It's mind-boggling," Benson said.

With the donations came dozens of comments from students who said Martinez — who has taught biology, zoology and a University of California, Berkeley Academic Talent Development Program course — made an impact on their lives.

He's been reading those comments to lift his spirits ahead of the surgery, Benson said. Some former students even came to visit him.

"We knew he was well-loved and he was an awesome teacher, but it's so heartwarming to hear stories of kids saying that the reason they're in medical school or a they're a doctor is because of him," Benson said.

Martinez has been in and out of the classroom in recent months as he received radiation in an attempt to shrink the invasive tumor that his doctor first mistook for a fatty deposit in September, she said. He was diagnosed with a malignant cancer in November after seeing several doctors and receiving a scan of his leg.

Benson said her brother will have lifelong mobility issues and is facing the possibility of losing a limb. Doctors said they will have a better idea of how Martinez will fare after his surgery.

Martinez has also taken time off of work after his dad suffered a brain hemorrhage, underwent brain surgery and passed away in January. He is helping care for his mother, who recently fell and hit her head.

The Martinez family is not working through these challenges alone. More than 700 donors in the community and beyond have stepped up to help and leave touching messages in support.

"I don't know Greg personally, but I have so many teachers and supporters like him who have made an incredible difference in my life," one donor wrote. "I'm so grateful that he has done that for so many thousands of students."

Numerous others said Martinez was their favorite teacher. He was "one of the coolest teachers," said one, and a "tremendous influence," said another.

"Although I have a B in this class, I wish the best for his health," a current student wrote. "He as well sparked my interest in biology."

Some were comments nostalgic: "Details in those text books and class sessions may have faded over the years, but my memories of your character and enthusiasm has not," a donor wrote.

Many donors were confident that the beloved teacher would take the surgery in stride.

"It saddens me to see him have to go through this, but I know he’ll give cancer hell," another donor wrote.

Go give 'em hell, Martinez.

Anyone who wishes to contact Martinez may do so at teammarty5@gmail.com. Donate to his cause here on GoFundMe.

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