Arlington’s Martinez gives back for support she received

It was like I’d hit some kind of lottery,” laughed Rebecca Martinez, a mother and former nurse at the Regency Care Center of Arlington. In spite of the comparison, they’re the sort of unlikely odds that no one wants to get. Martinez had no history of cancer in her family, and when she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in August of last year, she was told that only 4 percent of people younger than 65 ever get it.

By Kirk Boxleitner • May 25, 2011 12:59 pm
Arlington mother Rebecca Martinez shows off the multicolored cancer awareness bracelets that she donated to the Arlington Relay For Life
Arlington mother Rebecca Martinez shows off the multicolored cancer awareness bracelets that she donated to the Arlington Relay For Life

ARLINGTON — “It was like I’d hit some kind of lottery,” laughed Rebecca Martinez, a mother and former nurse at the Regency Care Center of Arlington.

In spite of the comparison, they’re the sort of unlikely odds that no one wants to get. Martinez had no history of cancer in her family, and when she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in August of last year, she was told that only 4 percent of people younger than 65 ever get it.

“They told me it was an old person’s cancer,” Martinez said. “The first thing I thought was that I didn’t want to die. My kids are still young. I still want to be around for them.”

Martinez underwent radiation treatments to shrink the tumor that was already crushing her vertebrae and causing her excruciating pain. After four months of chemotherapy, the percentage of cancer had been reduced enough that doctors were able to do a stem cell treatment, but the stem cells had to be auto-harvested because Martinez had no match.

“The reason is because there aren’t as many Hispanics in these donor banks,” Martinez said. “I didn’t even realize it before, but this is why we need to get more diversity in these banks. It’s not just Hispanics who are short of donor materials, but Indians and Filipinos as well. This really opened my eyes.”

Although Martinez is in remission, the damage to her spine is permanent and has left her at risk for possible paralysis.

“I have to be careful about lifting, bending over or falling,” Martinez said. “I’m very fragile now.”

Martinez is grateful for the support she’s received, and has decided to pay this goodwill back by supporting this year’s Relay For Life. At the Regency Care Center’s cookout fundraiser for Relay on May 21, Martinez donated 50 multicolored cancer awareness bracelets for them to sell, with each color representing a different type of cancer.

“I am truly blessed to have so many kindhearted friends, family members and neighbors,” Martinez said. “I want to give back in any way I can.”

The Arlington Relay For Life takes place this year from June 4-5 at the Arlington High School stadium. For more information, log onto www.relayforlife.org/arlingtonwa.