The Miami Herald Media Co.

His only chance of survival was a bone-marrow transplant he couldn't afford and a donor he couldn't find. But days after Miami Herald readers saw Martinez's story in the paper's Wish Book series, his outlook began to brighten.

The government fast-tracked his citizenship status, clearing the way for Medicaid benefits. A donor came through. Doctors in Tampa performed the transplant. Three weeks later, his wife gave birth to their second child. Today, his cancer is in remission.

''In medical terms, I'm cured,'' Martinez said recently from his Miami Lakes home. ``It has been the most difficult year of my life, but at the same time the most beautiful one.''

Miami Herald readers last year donated more than $625,000 in cash and in-kind gifts, which helped about 650 South Floridians in dire need. Between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, Wish Book -- a 27-year tradition sponsored by Miami Herald Charities -- will tell the stories of more than 30 families in need of help this holiday season. With the weakened economy, their needs are particularly acute this year.

Readers will learn Thursday about Perla Martinez, a 13-year-old Florida City girl who lost most of the use of her legs in a car accident during infancy.

Perla's mom, Teresa Valdez, is struggling to raise four kids on her own and wishes for two more single beds so her children will no longer have to share.

As for Perla, she needs a new wheelchair to help her get around school, and she would love to see Mickey Mouse in Disney World or a Christmas gift with anything Hannah Montana-related.

''It can be heartbreaking to raise a child with a disability, and more so when the family struggles financially,'' said Raquel Linares, a family support worker at Redlands Christian Migrant Association who nominated the Valdezes.

``Teresa is at peace with her daughter's condition and only hopes to add more joy to her life.''

Thursday's Wish Book pages also feature Eliu Alcantur Jr., a 4-year-old Miami boy with kidney failure whose parents are facing all odds trying to keep him healthy. Eliu Alcantur Sr. and wife Magdys Gonzalez saw their truck stolen, he lost his job, and Medicaid won't pay for their boy's nutritional supplements.

Later in the series, The Miami Herald will bring readers into the Miramar home where 2-year-old twins Donovan and Avery Pollard live with their parents and older sister.

Donovan and Avery have severe developmental disabilities, and their parents are in a constant battle with their insurance company about rehabilitation overages and shoddy medical equipment.

Because both of their parents work, the twins are ineligible for many types of state and federal aid.

Donovan and Avery receive therapy and care at Miami Children's Hospital and the Dan Marino Center, but the money the family has built up for rehab costs is drying up.

In past years, Herald readers have shown incredible generosity to Wish Book families.

Last Christmas Day, a furniture store executive from Ohio picked up The Miami Herald during a visit to South Florida and was moved after reading about a West Kendall mother and her five kids.

Two of Sirkeitha Nottage's children have cerebral palsy, and she needed a new vehicle to shuttle them to frequent doctor appointments. She couldn't afford to fix up her 1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass, which sat broken down in her front yard.

Join the discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.repliedToText@

@Nyx.replyAnswerText@

Reply to this Comment @Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@