A woman who spent years helping beautify guests on various Princess Cruises ships desperately needs help.
Marlene dela Cruz is fighting for her life after having been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Although she is currently seeking treatment back home in The Philippines, the expense of doing so puts not only her future but that of the single mom’s three children in jeopardy.
The Battle Has Only Begun
On a GoFundMe Page set up to raise funds, dela Cruz introduces herself as a 49-year-old single mother “of three wonderful boys” who was diagnosed with breast cancer while working on a cruise ship.
“I began my fight against cancer with chemotherapy on October 4, 2023. I endured eight grueling sessions and, after that, I faced surgery on May 27, 2024. Following the surgery, I underwent 25 sessions of radiation therapy, which was another tough battle.”
As any family who’s had to deal with such an overwhelming medical crisis knows, the costs can be prohibitive.
And while dela Cruz says that her former employer was at first supportive, “once they deemed my illness [to be] non-work-related, they cut their medical support. This left me in a devastating position, as I am now unemployed and struggling to support both my treatment and the needs of my children.”
Resource: The GoFundMe Page for Marlene
She wants to “be there for my children and ensure they have what they need while I continue my fight.” However, the costs of her medications and treatments are prohibitive, which has led to her reaching out for help.
“Your support would mean the world to me and would allow me to focus on my health and my family” without constantly having to worry about finances. “Your kindness and generosity can make a significant difference in my journey,” she concludes.
How You Can Help
For those of us fortunate enough to enjoy cruising as our vacation of choice, we know just how vital a role crew members such as dela Cruz play. It’s impossible to say how many guests she helped feel their best for a special night out while working in the salons aboard various ships.
But now, we can show our appreciation by donating to the fund, which will help pay for her treatments and, by extension, allow her to continue providing for the family she holds dear.
The goal of dela Cruz’s fundraising efforts is a relatively modest $6,000 (or, as the page indicates, 4,500 pounds). Less than the cost of many cruises, every donation—big or small—can help make a difference in this family’s life.
For more information, click here to go to the GoFundMe page.
Thank you to the crew member website CrewCenter.com for bringing this story to our attention.
