Greenville Reporter

Zach Martin, a former North Carolina state trooper, was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma in 2022. Despite several rounds of treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation, the cancer progressed rapidly. His wife Ginny shared that by December 2022, Zach could no longer walk due to a tumor in his femur.

Zach's struggle with cancer involved intensive treatments and hospital stays. In August 2023, scans revealed that the cancer had returned and was spreading quickly. He underwent another type of chemotherapy but faced severe side effects. By January 2024, his condition worsened significantly.

Ginny explained the family's decision to choose inpatient hospice care: “I told Zach I would rather we go to an inpatient hospice with nursing care 24/7 so I could be his wife for his remaining time.” Zach spent his final days at ECU Health's Service League of Greenville Inpatient Hospice House.

Marilyn Davis-Okubudike, the bereavement coordinator at the hospice house, recalled meeting Ginny: “I met her at the door... There were others there for Zach, but I wanted her to know we were also there for her.”

Dr. Margaret Clifton described her work as meaningful: “It can be really emotionally challenging... For me, there is a lot of meaning in making death a little less awful.”

The hospice staff provided comfort and support to the family during this difficult time. Ginny appreciated their efforts: “They listened and were nurturing through the whole thing.” The family received memory bears made from Zach’s uniforms and a recording of his heartbeat as keepsakes.

Marilyn highlighted the significance of ECU Health’s services: “A lot of people haven’t heard of us... We need people to see what a beautiful jewel this place is.”