Big Push Of Support For Bloomfield Nurse After ‘Devastating’ Diagnosis

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Hundreds of donors have come together to support a “front-line hero” who works at a Bloomfield nursing home and was recently diagnosed with stage four metastatic cancer of the spine.

A GoFundMe campaign for Marti Carlos, 32 – who works as a nurse at the Job Haines Home in Bloomfield – has raised more than $22,000 from over 200 donors as of Friday. See the campaign or make a donation here.

Carlos’ co-workers organized the GoFundMe campaign in an effort to “raise funds that will pull him through this devastating illness.”

According to the fundraiser:

“Marti Carlos works as a nurse at Job Haines Home sub-acute unit. He is only 32-years-old (the youngest of four siblings) and was seemingly in perfect health before he was recently stricken with stage four cancer. During the pandemic, Marti became our HERO at Job Haines Home. Working through a very toxic environment, he stayed with everyone to fight COVID-19, ensuring that every patient was well cared for during his watch. He is the type that gives hope to others whenever they are down and always encourages them to ‘look at the bright side.’ He is truly a special man, a natural caregiver and is loved by everyone he meets! Marti’s spirit lights up a room, and he is always willing to extend his hand to others in need.”

But in January, the “nightmare” began, his co-workers say:

“While at work, Marti received a call from the radiologist who performed an MRI on him and was told to go to the hospital for the result. He had been going for chiropractic treatments on his back for pain but had never shared that with anyone. Later that night he and his family learned that he has metastatic cancer of the spine. The very next morning, he had surgery to remove the tumor on his spine and at that time, he learned that the tumor had done much damage to the spine and soon after, the news was not good – the cancer had also invaded his pelvic area and femur. Just a few days later, he learned from the histopathology report that the cancer originated in his breast, and it is stage four.”

“In spite of this very grim news, Marti remains positive and focused on defeating this cancer and winning the fight,” the campaign continues. “Now, he looks exhausted and drained, it’s heartbreaking to see him broken down, but he still manages to carry a smile with him. Marti never complains or shows his pain to others.”

The campaign concludes:

“We, his fellow co-workers (and we consider ourselves his family) at Job Haines Home, recognize that his battle has only just begun. We humbly ask for your prayers for our Marti … and for your help and support to raise funds that will pull him through this devastating illness. We hope to raise enough to assist him with his medical needs, so he doesn’t have to worry about paying for ongoing treatments and procedures but is able to concentrate on getting well.”

Carlos’ co-workers aren’t the only New Jerseyans who have turned to crowdfunding to help pay for health care. According to GoFundMe, it hosts more than 250,000 medical campaigns every year. Those fundraisers take in more than $650 million in donations.

In New Jersey, people seeking help for medical bills on GoFundMe included teachers, police officers and decorated military veterans. Many have found themselves in need of financial help despite having health insurance, they say.

• See related article: Meet 10 NJ Families Who Had To Crowdfund For Health Care
• See related article: These 9 NJ Families Crowdfunded To Pay Their Medical Bills

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