Rios Family Support
Donation protected
On Tuesday June 17, 2014 a dear friend and brother to many in the competitive swimming community Marc Rios entered the ICU at Mortan Plant Hospital in Clearwater, FL in critical condition due to an illness which, at this point, doctors have been unable to identify or determine the cause. The only things we know for certain about Marc right now is that his kidneys have failed, his liver has failed, and the heart attack he experienced on Tuesday morning resulted in heart failure, and his heart is no longer able to pump blood on its own without the assistance of a machine. His body is now in a critical state of sepsis, and he’s fighting for his life. Marc is 35 years old.
After hearing that her brother was in the ICU, Marc’s mother Tammy, his sister Jenny, and his nephew Zach immediately drove from Virginia to be by his side, not knowing whether or not by the time they got there, if they would make it in time to tell him to keep fighting, or if they would need to say goodbye through an indescribable fog of utter shock. At this moment there is a team of 5 doctors - a specialist for each of the 3 major organs which have failed, an infectious disease specialist, and a primary physician - who are telling Jenny and the family that, at a minimum, and providing his body can hold on, that Marc can expect to be in the hospital for at least several weeks. Right now there is nothing more precious to them than the ability to be by his side. For comfort, for strength, for inspiration - Marc needs them just as much as they need him to keep fighting. In order to create a situation where Marc’s family can focus on making sure he stays strong, his friends and family are asking anyone who is able to please give what they can so Jenny and the family can cover hotel and meal expenses. Without question there will be a mountain of medical bills that will eventually come, and if you are moved to give so those costs can be reduced even a little, we sincerely thank you. But right now we’re just trying to keep Jenny and family fed and housed in Florida for at least a month.
My name is Dale Henry and I’ve known Marc since we were both 10 years old. We grew up together. A major part of that experience growing up was seven years together on a club swim team called the Coast Guard Blue Dolphins. On that team we became part of a lifetime group of friends and extended family whom we both cherish to this day- without question or any sense of reservation. We love each other as family, and even before this campaign was begun there was an outpouring of love and support from friends who’ve known him since childhood, former students who have been under Marc’s instruction as a coach, and those whose lives Marc has touched with his caring and generous spirit. He’s a good man, and both he and his family need our support during this incredibly trying time.
As has been mentioned, our main focus with this campaign is just to keep Marc’s sister and family in their hotel and fed for at least a month. Jenny is a sixth-grade English teacher in Virginia and is carrying as much of the financial burden of these weeks in Florida as she can for her family, but she needs help. His younger sister, Jessica, is helping as much as she can, but she is also 9-months pregnant and day away from delivery of the third child. Jessica is unable to be with her family at this time. I can’t tell you incredible people they are, how caring of a man Marc is, how much their family is loved and cared for. If you are able, please help us allow Marc’s family to be by his side as they help him stay strong, and God willing, soon recover. Anything you can give is not only greatly appreciated by his blood relatives, but those of us who’ve known Marc for many years, and love him as if bonds of friendship created something beyond blood, beyond the sharing of a last name. We ARE our own family. We love you Marc. Keep fighting buddy.
After hearing that her brother was in the ICU, Marc’s mother Tammy, his sister Jenny, and his nephew Zach immediately drove from Virginia to be by his side, not knowing whether or not by the time they got there, if they would make it in time to tell him to keep fighting, or if they would need to say goodbye through an indescribable fog of utter shock. At this moment there is a team of 5 doctors - a specialist for each of the 3 major organs which have failed, an infectious disease specialist, and a primary physician - who are telling Jenny and the family that, at a minimum, and providing his body can hold on, that Marc can expect to be in the hospital for at least several weeks. Right now there is nothing more precious to them than the ability to be by his side. For comfort, for strength, for inspiration - Marc needs them just as much as they need him to keep fighting. In order to create a situation where Marc’s family can focus on making sure he stays strong, his friends and family are asking anyone who is able to please give what they can so Jenny and the family can cover hotel and meal expenses. Without question there will be a mountain of medical bills that will eventually come, and if you are moved to give so those costs can be reduced even a little, we sincerely thank you. But right now we’re just trying to keep Jenny and family fed and housed in Florida for at least a month.
My name is Dale Henry and I’ve known Marc since we were both 10 years old. We grew up together. A major part of that experience growing up was seven years together on a club swim team called the Coast Guard Blue Dolphins. On that team we became part of a lifetime group of friends and extended family whom we both cherish to this day- without question or any sense of reservation. We love each other as family, and even before this campaign was begun there was an outpouring of love and support from friends who’ve known him since childhood, former students who have been under Marc’s instruction as a coach, and those whose lives Marc has touched with his caring and generous spirit. He’s a good man, and both he and his family need our support during this incredibly trying time.
As has been mentioned, our main focus with this campaign is just to keep Marc’s sister and family in their hotel and fed for at least a month. Jenny is a sixth-grade English teacher in Virginia and is carrying as much of the financial burden of these weeks in Florida as she can for her family, but she needs help. His younger sister, Jessica, is helping as much as she can, but she is also 9-months pregnant and day away from delivery of the third child. Jessica is unable to be with her family at this time. I can’t tell you incredible people they are, how caring of a man Marc is, how much their family is loved and cared for. If you are able, please help us allow Marc’s family to be by his side as they help him stay strong, and God willing, soon recover. Anything you can give is not only greatly appreciated by his blood relatives, but those of us who’ve known Marc for many years, and love him as if bonds of friendship created something beyond blood, beyond the sharing of a last name. We ARE our own family. We love you Marc. Keep fighting buddy.
Organizer
Amy Kippie Carl
Organizer
Yorktown, VA
