Doug Marks Family Fund
Donation protected
My Uncle Doug is one of the most hardworking men you’ll ever meet. He is a deeply loved father, husband and brother battling a disease that is threatening to take his life. Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) is a rare blood disease and a precursor to leukemia.
He has raised two children with love and dedication. Over the years, I’ve watched him dress up in matching Halloween costumes with his daughter, do Boy Scout camp outs with his son while always providing whatever my cousins needed to grow up happy and healthy. He has been a devoted partner to my Aunt Kitty for 35 years. They were looking forward to retirement someday until MDS took over their lives. This disease has taken a heavy financial and emotional toll on everyone. Kitty has taken on the role of supermom and superwife over the last two years: working countless hours as a nurse in between his weekly blood transfusions, chemo treatments, and doctors appointments. She has shouldered the financial burden as best as she can. Unfortunately, her best efforts have left them struggling to pay their bills and a depleted retirement account.
They were blessed with the expertise of Cleveland Clinic’s medical team, but had to drive 100s of hours over the two years to get there, as they live in Pittsburgh. Kitty would wake up as early as 4 am to drive him to Ohio, then go to work after returning from the hospital, all while Doug was feeling sick and angry about losing his independence and ability to work as hard as he had his whole life. It hasn’t been an easy 2 years, and recently, his medical team recommended that he receive a stem cell transplant starting this month. This treatment, if successful, will offer him the best chance for survival and buy him many more years with his family. If MDS turns into leukemia (which is the trajectory his doctors feel he’s on) his chances of survival are very low. His son Chris will embark upon this journey with him and serve as his stem cell donor. The treatment will be grueling for both. Not only will it be physically and emotionally daunting for Doug and his family, it will add a whole new level of financial stress. Travel expenses to and from Philadelphia over 4 months, medical costs not covered by insurance, paired with his inability to work and Kitty’s decreased ability to work, will leave them struggling to pay the bills from week to week.
Doug and Kitty are two of the hardest working people I know, and have always offered their home and help to anyone who needed it. They would never ask anyone for anything, even when they deserve it, so I am here to ask for them. Any small donation you can offer will be greatly appreciated and will help them keep up with their financial responsibilities during this difficult time.
Doug arrived today at the University of Pennsylvania medical center to begin his treatment. The first part of the process will be intensive chemo therapy. He will spend a month in the hospital and then at least an additional 100 days being monitored in Philadelphia by his team of doctors. It will be a long and hard path but our hopes are high. We plan to post updates regarding his treatment via this portal.
Thank you in advance for your open hearts and generosity. Our family will be forever grateful.
He has raised two children with love and dedication. Over the years, I’ve watched him dress up in matching Halloween costumes with his daughter, do Boy Scout camp outs with his son while always providing whatever my cousins needed to grow up happy and healthy. He has been a devoted partner to my Aunt Kitty for 35 years. They were looking forward to retirement someday until MDS took over their lives. This disease has taken a heavy financial and emotional toll on everyone. Kitty has taken on the role of supermom and superwife over the last two years: working countless hours as a nurse in between his weekly blood transfusions, chemo treatments, and doctors appointments. She has shouldered the financial burden as best as she can. Unfortunately, her best efforts have left them struggling to pay their bills and a depleted retirement account.
They were blessed with the expertise of Cleveland Clinic’s medical team, but had to drive 100s of hours over the two years to get there, as they live in Pittsburgh. Kitty would wake up as early as 4 am to drive him to Ohio, then go to work after returning from the hospital, all while Doug was feeling sick and angry about losing his independence and ability to work as hard as he had his whole life. It hasn’t been an easy 2 years, and recently, his medical team recommended that he receive a stem cell transplant starting this month. This treatment, if successful, will offer him the best chance for survival and buy him many more years with his family. If MDS turns into leukemia (which is the trajectory his doctors feel he’s on) his chances of survival are very low. His son Chris will embark upon this journey with him and serve as his stem cell donor. The treatment will be grueling for both. Not only will it be physically and emotionally daunting for Doug and his family, it will add a whole new level of financial stress. Travel expenses to and from Philadelphia over 4 months, medical costs not covered by insurance, paired with his inability to work and Kitty’s decreased ability to work, will leave them struggling to pay the bills from week to week.
Doug and Kitty are two of the hardest working people I know, and have always offered their home and help to anyone who needed it. They would never ask anyone for anything, even when they deserve it, so I am here to ask for them. Any small donation you can offer will be greatly appreciated and will help them keep up with their financial responsibilities during this difficult time.
Doug arrived today at the University of Pennsylvania medical center to begin his treatment. The first part of the process will be intensive chemo therapy. He will spend a month in the hospital and then at least an additional 100 days being monitored in Philadelphia by his team of doctors. It will be a long and hard path but our hopes are high. We plan to post updates regarding his treatment via this portal.
Thank you in advance for your open hearts and generosity. Our family will be forever grateful.
Organizer and beneficiary
Mike Patalsky
Organizer
Murrysville, PA
Rachael Marks
Beneficiary