Survivor’s Lasting Legacy
“Think About What I Would Have Missed”: Cancer Warrior’s Fight Gives El Paso Families Hope
Wayne Martin’s early screening saved his life — and shaped three decades of family dedication to bringing world-class cancer care home to West Texas
For Wayne Martin, Father’s Day, which falls during National Cancer Survivor Month, serves as a reminder of a decision he made three decades ago to trust his instincts and advocate for cancer screenings.
In 1994, Martin was 45 when he began experiencing persistent indigestion. At the time, his primary care physician didn’t find anything unusual. But something still felt off for Martin. It led him to insist on a referral to see a specialist.
That persistence not only saved his life but also gave him more time with his loved ones.
“Screenings don’t take much time,” he said. “But they can give you more time with the people who matter most. That’s the best Father’s Day gift I can think of.”
He finally received answers when an endoscopy revealed stomach cancer. Though diagnosed locally, Martin had to travel 750 miles to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where surgeons performed a complex Whipple procedure — removing parts of his stomach, pancreas, gall bladder and bile duct.
The surgery was extensive, but the extraordinary outcome led Martin to a 30-year cancer-free journey.
Now 75, he marks each Father’s Day with perspective earned through experience — and with urgency about a message he believes more families need to hear.
“Early detection saved my life,” Martin said. “If something doesn’t feel right for a while, don’t wait. Get screened.”
Finding cancer early
During this National Cancer Survivor Month, Martin’s message carries weight with all Texans. In 2024, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services expects more than 143,000 new cancer cases. Cancer remains the second-leading cause of death, with approximately 48,335 cancer deaths expected this year.
Early detection, however, makes a difference: the five-year survival rate is 90% when cancer is found early, but just 36% once it spreads.
Martin’s survival is one story behind those statistics, but the impact didn’t stop there. His recovery was shaped not only by surgical expertise but also by the unwavering support of his family: his wife Millie, and their children Charmaine, Shondalyn and Michael.
“It’s not just about the people who love you,” Martin said. “It’s about the people you love. That’s what gives you strength during cancer treatment.”
Family ties
The experience stayed with the Martin family in lasting ways. His daughter, Charmaine Martin, M.D., today serves as associate dean for student affairs at the Foster School of Medicine. Her father’s illness and her mother’s later battle with leukemia helped influence her career and advocate for the next generation of physicians.
“Family support during medical emergencies or serious illnesses is a time for coming together and deepening family bonds,” Dr. Martin said. “Our family was fortunate to have access to specialty care from competent and caring physicians and efficient, patient-centered health care teams. I try to help those in need every day, whether they are patients or students.”
Wayne’s wife, Millie, faced leukemia shortly after his recovery. Her treatment required regular travel to Phoenix, a reminder of the barriers West Texas residents encounter when seeking specialized care.
Hope begins HERE
That experience helped fuel the family’s philanthropic commitment. Wayne and Millie recently donated $100,000 to Texas Tech Health El Paso, supporting scholarships for medical and nursing students. Their goal: make it easier for local students to train and stay in our region, strengthening care across West Texas and our Borderplex region.
“I’m grateful we’re getting a cancer center right here in El Paso,” Wayne said, referencing the forthcoming Fox Cancer Center, championed by his close friends, Steve and Nancy Fox. “People won’t have to leave town or their families to get comprehensive care.”
Hispanics, who comprise over 80% of the population in Far West Texas, are significantly underrepresented in cancer clinical trials, making up less than 4% of participants, despite accounting for nearly 19% of the U.S. population. This is particularly alarming as cancer causes 20.3% of deaths among U.S. Hispanics.
The Fox Cancer Center will bring world-class cancer treatment and research to Far West Texas, eliminating the burden of long-distance travel while providing cutting-edge therapies, clinical trials, and compassionate care close to home for cancer warriors and their families.
Martin’s life has included military service as an Army cook, entrepreneurial success in the automotive industry, and now, advocacy for health care access. But it’s the quiet moments — watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow — that give Father’s Day its full meaning.
“I think about what I would have missed if I hadn’t spoken up,” he said. “It’s not just my life that changed — it’s what our family has been able to build together because I lived.”
As cancer cases continue to rise in Texas, Martin urges others to take their health seriously — and to act early. His story is proof that a single decision can make decades of difference.
For more information on cancer screenings and prevention, visit the Foster School of Medicine’s Cancer Prevention El Paso site.
Residents of our Borderplex community can help provide cancer screenings to those in need. For more information, please contact Craig Holden at 915-215-4850 or Craig.Holden@ttuhsc.edu, or visit our online donation page.
About Texas Tech Health El Paso
Texas Tech Health El Paso serves 108 counties in West Texas and is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution dedicated to preparing the next generation of health care heroes. Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a uniquely innovative destination for medical, nursing, biomedical sciences and dental education.
With a focus on excellence in health care education, research, and clinical service, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,600 professionals over the past decade, and will include dental graduates beginning in 2025. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.