Cancer Survivor Wants Jackson to Survive
Miami mother who beat disease wants hospital to beat money woes
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MIAMI - DECEMBER 08: U.S. Army Specialist Chris Tamayo of the 212th Combat Support Hospital scubs in during a 24-hour shift at Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center December 8, 2006 in Miami, Florida. The U.S. Army Trauma Training Center at the hospital gives medics heading into combat operations the training necessary to work on the battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan. Miami's Ryder Trauma Center was chosen because it provides access to the volume and severity of injuries needed to mimic those experienced on the battlefield. Among the goals of the program is to foster teamwork among the medics as they participated in an intense, 14-day program. The rotation culminates with a 24-hour exercise where the unit essentially takes over operations of the Ryder Trauma Center. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
When single mother Grisel Martinez was diagnosed with breast cancer nine years ago, she thought it was a death sentence.
"I was so young, I felt like my life was finished," she said yesterday, recalling the day she received the bad news.
And with no health insurance, she wondered how she'd be able to even begin to beat the disease.
"My only hope was Jackson Mmeorial Hospital," Martinez said.
So now the Miami resident who's still a survivor is speaking out in the hopes that the institution that helped her can also survive.
With a deficit of about $229 million, the Jackson Health System that gave Martinez her second chance is on life support.
A proposed plan would cut as many as 4,500 jobs and close at least two hospitals in the system. The system's governing body is set to meet this afternoon to discuss any possible plans.
Board members said they want to seek other options and the Healthcare Union has been vocal about trying to save the hospital from cuts and closures.
Some cuts, however, will have to be made, and the uninsured like Martinez may suffer most.
In 2008 alone, Jackson provided $531 million in medical care to South Florida's uninsured community, a level reported to be the highest in Florida and among the highest in the country.
Martinex fears others like her will have to pay the price if massive cuts are made.
"I worry for this situation," Martinez said. "Please help Jackson Memorial Hospital, it's our life, we need Jackson Memorial Hospital."
