Hi, my name is Cristian Gutierrez. It’s just me, my father, and our mother.
Seven years ago, our lives changed when my dad Victor Gutierrez experienced a medical error during eye surgery. No one told him to stop taking his blood thinners, and because of that, he lost his ability to work. Since then, we’ve been struggling to make ends meet.
Earlier this year, in January, we received heartbreaking news—my dad was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and has not achieved remission. Because of his illness, my mom had to stop working to become his full-time caregiver. During this time, my dad’s kidneys began to fail, and he needed dialysis and chemotherapy while being in and out of the hospital for about 8 weeks.
I had planned to go to college, but I had no choice but to work to support my family since both of my parents can’t work right now. My dad recently received a transplant and continues his care at the Blood & Marrow Transplant Group of Georgia at Northside.
Through everything, my dad has been incredibly brave and has never lost his faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus. He doesn’t go a single day without smiling, even in the hardest moments.
We often relate to the story of Job. When my father still had his eyesight, we weren’t rich and didn’t have everything, but we were happy. Now, even as he battles cancer, we continue to hold onto that same faith. We may not have much, but we have God—and that’s what keeps us strong.
We’re reaching out because we need all the help we can get. Any support means the world to us. Thank you for taking the time to read our story.