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Heidi de Marco

@heididemarco

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Photojournalist | Health Reporter @kpbs
Based in San Diego, California.
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Just hours before her death, Theresa Margaret Mary Kelly was surrounded by loved ones in her San Diego home. They were singing, dancing, and celebrating a choice she believed more people should know they have. “I have stage four clear cell carcinoma, but prior to that, I was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia,” Kelly said. Kelly was 69. For years, she had searched for answers. “We were dragged to and from this hospital to that hospital,” she said. “One neurologist, two neurologists, three neurologists.” But even in her final days, Kelly remained funny, sharp, and quick to joke. “Hi Dr. Moore. You missed the party. The drinks are all gone…,” she said as her physician entered the room. California is one of 13 states where terminally ill patients with less than six months to live can request medication to end their life. It’s called the End of Life Option Act, often referred to as medical aid in dying. It was made permanent in the state in October. Read the rest of the story at kpbs.org 📝📷@heididemarco by @heididemarco
Across San Diego County, people are gathering to talk about something many Americans still avoid…death. KPBS health reporter Heidi de Marco visited a Death Cafe in Encinitas and says interest in these conversations is growing. 📝 📸 @heididemarco by @heididemarco
John Gerardi, March 2026 At 90 years old, John Gerardi goes to a death cafe every month. These gatherings bring strangers together to talk openly about dying, grief and planning for the end of life — something many people still avoid. John said the conversations, and the community, keep him coming back. He’s attended for 10 months straight. “Just to meet with people and get their perspective about dying,” he said. “And I learned a lot.” He was married nearly 65 years and spent the last six caring for his wife through a long decline. That experience shaped how he hopes his own life will end. “I'm not afraid of it,” he said. “I keep busy. My hobbies are my savior.” In his workshop, he crafts wooden trivets. Keeping busy, he said, helps quiet the isolation he sometimes feels. In San Diego County, there are only a handful of death cafes. Some in person, others online. After years marked by pandemic loss, more people are willing to talk about what comes next, Selena Jong said, the death cafe organizer. “A lot of people find that they don't have their affairs in order,” Jong said. “And the light bulb goes off like, 'oh, I need to talk to my family, talk to my loved ones about what my wishes are. I need to get my advanced directive done.'" The conversations are heavy. People wrestling with their own mortality. Parents who lost children. Spouses grieving long marriages. And yet, something unexpected happens. Laughter. “Did you notice a lot of people laughing? I even tell jokes at my table,” John said. He already knows how he wants his life to end. “If it comes to a point where I can't do what I'm doing and I'm not able to take care of myself, I'll just go peacefully, too.” He’ll keep busy in his workshop. And he’ll keep showing up at the cafe each month. “I wish it was every Saturday.” My latest feature video - https://www.kpbs.org/news/health/2026/03/06/in-encinitas-people-are-gathering-to-talk-about-death-and-find-community . . . #deathcafe #endoflife #healthnews #encinitas #california #heididemarco #onassignment @kpbs by @heididemarco
During the holidays, Latino communities are usually filled with music, dancing, and tradition. Christmas is a time for food, faith, and family. But this year, many immigrant families say the season feels different. Fear has replaced celebration. Heightened immigration enforcement is changing how…and if…families celebrate at all. A recent KFF/New York Times survey found that 63 percent of likely undocumented immigrants have avoided traveling this year, worried about drawing attention to their status. Watch my latest video for @KPBS: https://www.kpbs.org/news/health/2025/12/17/immigration-enforcement-changes-the-holidays-for-undocumented-families-in-san-diego . . . #news #photojournalism #healthjournalism #sandiego #onassignment @kpbs by @heididemarco
Charlie Service and Chance, October 2025 Like many veterans, Charlie Service returned home from Vietnam carrying the unseen scars of war. “You come back with severe PTSD,” he said. “That’s what I have.” For years, Charlie struggled with depression, anger, and sleepless nights — until he met Chance, a yellow Labrador retriever trained through Freedom Dogs. “Before I had him, I wasn’t a very good person,” he said. “I was down all the time. But after Chance came along, it’s different. He’s kind of like my right, left arm, leg — and all of the above.” Freedom Dogs, based in Oceanside, California, pairs service dogs with wounded veterans and active-duty military members living with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. For Charlie and others, the dogs are more than companions — they’re a lifeline. But that lifeline is now at risk. Freedom Dogs could lose nearly half of its funding after a federal grant was cut from the Senate’s version of the defense bill. Without it, the nonprofit may be forced to cut its program in half. At a time when more than 6,000 veterans die by suicide each year, executive director Peggy Poore said losing this support could be devastating. A 2022 study found that veterans paired with service dogs experienced fewer PTSD symptoms, less suicidal ideation, and better social functioning than those without them. She said each service dog takes years to train and that each match can be lifesaving. “Finding joy again, living life without fear,” she said. “If you could put a price tag on that, it’s worth far more than what Congress is debating.” My latest - https://www.kpbs.org/news/health/2025/11/11/funding-cuts-threaten-service-dog-program-for-wounded-warriors . . . #freedomdogsorganization #ServiceDogs #Veterans #MilitaryMentalHealth #PTSD #veteransday #veteransupport #woundedwarrior #news #photojournalism #photojournalist #nikonphotography #fotografia #healthjournalism #healthcare #health #healthnews #oceanside #california #heididemarco #onassignment @kpbs by @heididemarco
Bakari Rivera, August 2025 A year ago, Bakari RIvera, a fashionably dressed 30-year-old, was unrecognizable. “I was struggling with the copious amount of benzodiazepines for 15 years.” He credits his sobriety to the help he received from Father Joe's street health team and the connection he made with alcohol and drug counselor Paulette Mendoza. “I was down bad when I met her. I didn't have a stable place to rest my head,” said Rivera. “I actually overdosed on fentanyl on accident and flatlined. They gave me Narcan at the hospital and brought me back.” Narcan is the brand name for the overdose reversing medication, Naloxone. In order to get it into the hands of people who use drugs, street health teams include other supplies in their harm reduction kits to help start conversations. But a new executive order signed in late July restricts how federal funding can be used by harm reduction programs nationwide. It directs the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to stop paying for certain tools, targeting efforts some policymakers say “facilitate illegal drug use.” Outreach workers say the most effective tools are often the ones federal funding won’t cover, things like sterile syringes or safer smoking kits. Without those, people are more likely to share supplies, which raises the risk of HIV and hepatitis C spreading in the community. And it’s not just about disease prevention, those tools are often what open the door to trust. Someone might not be ready for treatment the first time you meet them, but if you can meet their immediate needs safely, it creates a relationship that can lead to recovery. That’s what programs say they’re worried about losing. Rivera is now a year into recovery and has completed a peer support specialist certificate. He says programs like Mendoza’s harm reduction street team made that possible. My latest: https://www.kpbs.org/news/health/2025/09/03/federal-funding-restrictions-threaten . . . #news #documentaryphotography #photojournalism #photojournalist #visualjournalism #nikonphotography #healthjournalism #mentalhealth #homelessness #harmreduction #sandiego #california #heididemarco #onassignment @kpbs by @heididemarco
Financial scams targeting seniors in San Diego County are becoming more sophisticated and more costly. In just the first half of 2025, 747 older adults in San Diego County have fallen victim to scams, losing nearly $70 million. The county started keeping track of the amount of money seniors were losing to scams in 2022 and each year since then it's increased, said Jennifer Sovay with San Diego County Aging and Independent Services. Sovay has seen three major scam types: 1️⃣ Romance scams: A criminal uses a fake persona to gain a victim’s trust and affection in order to steal from them. 2️⃣ Investment scams: A scammer convinces a victim to invest their money in opportunities that aren’t real. 3️⃣ Bank scams: A criminal tells a victim – falsely – that their bank account has been compromised. And then asks for personal information like a social security number. How can you protect yourself or others from scammers? ▶️ Verify a source’s identity before you click on a suspicious link, send personal information or money. ▶️ Don’t be embarrassed to report the crime. You could help other people. ▶️ If you or your loved one has been a victim of fraud, call the Adult Protective Services Hotline 1-800-339-4661. Read more at kpbs.org 📝 @heididemarco 📹 Lara McCaffrey by @heididemarco
Medi-Cal—California’s Medicaid program — covers nearly half of all Latinos in the state. In San Diego County, 44% of Latinos rely on it for doctor visits, prescriptions and emergency care. But proposed federal changes could put that coverage at risk. House Republicans are considering $2.3 trillion in Medicaid cuts as part of a broader deficit reduction plan. One element includes imposing work requirements for eligibility. A bill introduced in February proposes that adults ages 18 to 65 must work or volunteer at least 20 hours a week to qualify for Medicaid, unless they’re exempt. A new study from UCLA’s Latino Policy and Politics Institute warns that this and other changes could result in nearly 2.3 million Californians losing Medi-Cal coverage. More than half of them are Latino. The researchers say many Latinos work in jobs that don’t offer employer-provided health insurance, such as hospitality, health care and construction. “Almost 1.4 million Latino Medi-Cal enrollees are in these particular industries … they don't necessarily come with employee provided health insurance because these individuals work as independent contractors.” said Arturo Vargas Bustamante, one of the study’s authors. “So Medi-Cal is actually the one that comes as the insurance of last resort to cover these demographics.” UC San Diego health policy professor Richard Kronick said work requirements won’t increase employment but will lead to coverage loss. “The evidence is clear that the result is people losing coverage for administrative kind of process reasons,” Kronick said. “The real cost of not having insurance, which is that people are sicker and that more people will die, and we might save a teeny bit of money because of that. But it's a very teeny bit.” More at kpbs.org 📝📸 @heididemarco by @heididemarco
Kirk and Julia Holladay, April 2025 Kirk and Julia Holladay hold on to memories of their daughter — before the meth addiction. Before the cycle of psychiatric hospital stays. “I have been challenged by my loved one — my daughter — for 20 years,” Julia said. “She was diagnosed at 16 with bipolar disorder and auditory complications...she hears voices.” They are among thousands of families navigating what’s known as dual diagnosis — when someone lives with both a mental illness and a substance use disorder. Their daughter, now 36, has cycled in and out of treatment facilities for years, often leaving against medical advice. “The most challenging part for me is grappling with the idea that she's beyond hope,” Kirk said. Recently evicted and now living in a motel, their daughter was hospitalized again just a few weeks ago. But despite a major change in California law, Julia said no one mentioned her daughter could be eligible for involuntary treatment during her most recent stay. A new California law is giving families hope for loved ones refusing mental health or addiction treatment. Senate Bill 43 expands the definition of “grave disability” to include people with severe substance use disorders, allowing for more individuals to be placed on involuntary psychiatric holds. But for the Holladays, who’s daughter was just in the hospital again a few weeks ago, the new law hasn’t changed much for them yet. Some health advocates say it will take a while to see the law’s impact. "It was never mentioned once in the 5 or 6 weeks my daughter was in the hospital,” Julia said. “Maybe there could be more advocacy on it or maybe outreach to families." For now, the Holladays are left waiting and hoping that the next time their daughter ends up in crisis, the system might work differently. . . . #news #documentaryphotography #photojournalism #photojournalist #visualjournalism #nikonphotography #portrait #reportage #fotografia #healthjournalism #healthcare #health #publichealth #healthnews #mentalhealthawareness #substanceusedisorder #dualdiagnosis #SB43 #sandiego #california #heididemarco #onassignment @kpbs by @heididemarco
In San Diego County, 1 in 4 people rely on Medi-Cal — California’s version of Medicaid — for essential health coverage. It supports seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families. But proposed federal cuts could jeopardize that lifeline. For 61-year-old Carol Bush, Medi-Cal means survival. “I would probably die. Because I can’t work right now,” she said.. Carol lives in a shelter with her dog, Winter. She’s recovering from gallbladder surgery and lives with COPD, surviving on $1,000 a month from Social Security disability income. Medi-Cal covers her medications, doctor visits, and hospital care — but now, she fears losing it. Yesterday, the House approved a budget plan directing $880 billion in cuts — most expected to come from Medicaid. Health experts warn that more than 100,000 people in San Diego County could lose their coverage. . . . #news #documentaryphotography #photojournalism #photojournalist #visualjournalism #nikonphotography #reportage #fotografia #healthjournalism #healthcare #health #publichealth #healthnews #medical #medicaid #medicaidcuts #housing4thehomeless #sandiego #california #heididemarco #onassignment @kpbs by @heididemarco
Deborah Franklin, April 2025 More than five years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, many San Diegans are still living with the lingering effects. The condition known as long COVID often brings lasting health impacts that are often invisible and misunderstood. Deborah Franklin is 49. She’s had long covid since December 2021. She still deals with blurry vision, body pain, loss of taste and smell—and a relentless cough. “I go through this whole choking routine when I get out of bed. My cough is waiting for me,” she said. “I have like three different kinds of inhalers.” There’s no clear number on how many people in San Diego are living with the condition. Experts say it’s hard to track—many patients aren’t diagnosed, or don’t realize what’s wrong. Rehab helped Deborah realize she wasn’t alone. “I got to see other people with it. I’m absolutely not crazy. Because the doctors kept saying, ‘Well, nobody else has this.’ With few specialized clinics, dwindling federal support, and ongoing insurance battles, long COVID patients face an uphill battle to recover. The Trump administration is planning to close the Office for Long COVID Research and Practice. Five years since the pandemic hit, research, treatment and support for long COVID patients remains uncertain. “It’s just been a long journey,” Deborah said. After 25 years as a warehouse manager, she might have to retire early. “Now I have to wear a pamper to work because my cough is so aggressive. Nobody wants to be there, you know? I really have to figure it out if it's worth it.” Watch | Listen to my latest @kpbs feature here: https://www.kpbs.org/news/health/2025/04/08/patients-struggle-with-long-covid-years-after-pandemic-began . . . #news #documentaryphotography #photojournalism #photojournalist #visualjournalism #nikonphotography #reportage #fotografia #healthjournalism #healthcare #health #publichealth #healthnews #covid #covid19 #longcovid #sandiego #california #wemakekpbs #heididemarco #onassignment @kpbs by @heididemarco
Harvey and Marion Yurow, December 2024 Marion Yurow, an 88-year-old retired teacher, doesn’t drive. Her husband, Harvey Yurow, is a retired research chemist. At 92, he’s limited his driving to around their neighborhood. Marion said the couple is experiencing the realities of aging. Driving long distances and navigating parking structures has become a challenge. "We’re needing more and more doctor appointments, unfortunately," she said, noting that her husband had a heart attack and she recently had eye surgery. While their health care needs have increased, so has their need for transportation access. A recent survey by Alignment Health found that 1 in 4 seniors skip medical care and most cited transportation as the main reason. The Yurows rely on a local ride-share program to help get them to medical appointments. But it's struggling to recruit volunteer drivers. For Marion, these rides are about more than just transportation. They’re a chance to remain connected to the community, maintain independence and avoid isolation. “Over the years, we've met some wonderful people. And as they say, I don't know what we would do,” she said. “Eventually, Harvey won't be driving and then we really will have a problem.” Watch | Listen to my latest @kpbs feature here: https://www.kpbs.org/news/health/2024/12/12/local-senior-ride-share-program-struggling-to-meet-demand ​. . . #news #documentaryphotography #photojournalism #photojournalist #visualjournalism #nikonphotography #reportage #fotografia #healthjournalism #healthcare #health #publichealth #seniors #aging #healthnews #jfs_sd #sandiego #california #heididemarco #onassignment @kpbs by @heididemarco

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