GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - The Grand Valley community is coming together to help a local woman get the help she needs to be the healthy, happy mother and wife she once was.

Beki salazar has dealt with health problems for years. From heartburn that turned into acid reflux, to lesions on her esophagus, and a hernia that needs to be removed, all of which could quickly become cancerous, if she doesn't get the surgeries she needs as soon as possible.

Beki is close to getting that help, thanks to the kindness of a friend she only grew to know over several meals.

For the last 18 years, the Pufferbelly has been a staple in David Cruse's week. Every Wednesday, he sits and chats with Beki Salazar, who has been working at the Pufferbelly for over 15 years.

So when Beki had an overwhelming amount of health problems, David was someone Beki confided in.

“I actually really only told three people and he was one of them. And it went from telling three people to David Cruz really trying to help me,” says Beki.

Without health insurance, the surgeries Beki needs to survive are out of reach.

"We've looked into getting insurance, but even if we had insurance they wouldn't even cover it,” says Beki’s husband Jake Salazar. “Because they look at it as a cosmetic surgery."

Out of the goodness of his heart, David couldn't see Beki give in to her condition without a fight.

"It’s just who I am I guess. I wanted to help her and I’ve done it for some other people, this is about the fourth person I’ve tried to help with cancer. The others have had cancer so unfortunately I've lost them but we tried,” says David.

He hopes to get Beki back to health before cancer becomes her reality.

"Hopefully we can get her through before it goes cancerous and she can have a healthy happy life and no chemo, no radiation,” he says.

With 2 children, 5 stepchildren, six grandkids and one more on the way, Beki has a lot to live for.

"Super wife, super mom. I would never imagine that I would find a woman to come in and accept my kids as her own and she does,” says Jake. “I can't even imagine living life without my wife."

The main surgery Beki needs to save her life is lap band surgery, which will control her weight and keep her hernia from coming back.

So far, David has organized several fundraisers for Beki, raising over $8000 so far. She's just $5000 away from the lap band surgery that will save her from cancer.

Tomorrow night, David will host a spaghetti dinner to try and raise that last $5000 dollars for Beki's surgery. The dinner will be held at the sheriff's posse on 25 road from 5-8 p.m. And all are welcome to stop by and support Beki and her family.