Page 9 - Dinuba Sentinel 11-15-18 E-edition

The Dinuba Sentinel
Playo wishes
Dinuba football team makes night memorable for ailing Gilbert Martinez
Community
Thursday, November 15, 2018 | A9
By Rick Curiel
Editor@thedinubasentinel.com
Gilbert Martinez has been an active part of Dinuba’s community for many years. He was instrumental in starting the city’s Cinco de Mayo celebration and has organized charity runs that have been held at Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Course.
These days, however, Martinez has become less active. Though the amputation of both legs, due to complications from diabetes, failed to slow him down, his recent medical condition has. Martinez was diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer back in August of this year.
Because the cancer was in its late stage, he was not a candidate for removal or radiation. His only option, according to daughter Crystal Diaz, was chemotherapy. He underwent a rough eight-hour chemotherapy treatment in late September that left him hospitalized with a stroke on Oct. 2.
“We almost lost him in those early days of October,” said Diaz. “But he pulled through and will continue until the Lord decides it’s time.”
Unfortunately for Martinez, because the chemotherapy took such a toll on him, his doctor feels his body is not strong enough to continue the treatment.
So in the time Martinez has left he decided he wanted to do something he has been unable to do recently. He wanted to attend his grandsons’, Estevan Diaz Jr. and Isaiah Torres, football game.
Friday he was determined to do just that. And so the family was able to set up a medical transport to the game where, thanks to the help of Dinuba
Photo contributed
Gilbert Martinez, center poses with his two grandsons after Friday night's Dinuba High victory over Hanford in the Central Section's Division II playoffs. After the game the team presented Martinez, who is suffering from stage-four lung cancer, with the game ball.
High School Junior Varsity Head Coach Roland Rico and wife Laura, he was able to get a great view of Dinuba’s dominant victory over Hanford to advance to the Central Section’s Division II semifinals.
It was what he hoping for, a big playoff victory at home. And he took pride knowing that his grandsons were part of it. But what he didn’t expect was what happened after the game.
To his surprise, and to the surprise of his entire family, after the game the whole team came up to him and presented him with the game ball as they sang the Dinuba High School fight song.
“This made his night,” said
Diaz of her father’s reaction. “They basically gave a dying man one of his last wishes.”
Diaz said her father hopes to make it to the next playoff game and prays he is able to attend a Dinuba championship game.
Added Diaz, “This is what our community is all about. We may not always agree on things but working together we are a better community.”
Diaz said she is grateful to the Ricos for helping to make her father’s game night one to remember. She said she is also grateful to coach Kevin Scharton. It was his idea to present Martinez with the game ball.
002767
02633