We would like you to meet our parents who have given so much and are now waiting to receive, Michael and Jamie Calarco.
Michael’s Story
On November 12, 2015 our Dad, Michael, was acting out of character, confused, and disorientated. Upon arrival to the hospital, his heart failed, requiring four resuscitations and a hospital stay at Strong Memorial for over four months. The longest four months of our lives! We celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and our Mom’s birthday in his hospital room. He had lots of love and support from friends and family but no one understands better than our Mom, Jamie the meaning of support. She stayed by his side night and day only leaving for her own appointments and dialysis. She slept in the hospital chair right beside him while he was in ICU, on the recovery floor, and right through rehab for a grand total of 127 nights! In his stay our dad endured 3 open heart surgeries, a stroke, requiring an additional brain surgery and is now surviving with the assist of a medical device known as an LVAD; a life-sustaining device that helps to pump the blood through his body. He can no longer work or drive and has numerous weekly medical appointments including speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy. He returns to Strong Memorial every few weeks from his home in Niagara Falls for follow-up appointments and continues to work hard at home on his recovery. Right now he relies on the support of his family and friends to help him live each day to the fullest. He was once a very strong, independent man. By trade he was a pipefitter and his favorite pastimes included bowling and hunting. He is the proud grandfather of 2 grandchildren, which he and our mom used to care for 5 days a week. He is working everyday toward the goal of being able to hunt this fall with his son and dear friends. Then, ultimately receive a heart transplant due to his diagnosis of End Stage heart failure. If you have had the wonderful opportunity to meet our father you know first hand that he is the most generous and genuine man you will ever meet. Always the first to dedicate himself to anyone in need and never expect anything in return. While he is not expecting anything now either we are reaching out for any support to make things just a bit easier for him on this journey.
Jamie’s Story
Now meet our mom, Jamie, who learned 4 years ago that she was in the beginning stages of renal failure and has been waiting on the kidney transplant list for nearly 3 years. Prior to Dad’s health issues he was her kidney care partner, administering her dialysis to her at home. Since then roles have reversed, and she now manages her own care while caring for him as well. Sadly, during this time our mom has been called twice to receive kidneys, unfortunately circumstances caused neither to come to fruition. On top of everything she just recently learned that she is currently not eligible to be on the active kidney transplant list because of a growth on her thyroid. She needs to have her thyroid removed before being placed on this list again. Thyroid surgery is expected within the next few weeks with the hopes of a kidney shortly to follow. Our mom has a big heart, cares for her husband on a daily basis, and continues to try and make sense of the challenges she has endured over the past year. Reading her Facebook posts will help anyone understand these challenges!
The Unfortunate Reality
Medical expenses for our wonderful parents have exceeded over one million dollars. Weekly co-pays alone are a burden. They have had to purchase and install a generator because of needed power to support our dad’s medical device. They even had to replace several major appliances due to a power surge when the generator was installed.
Our parents have limited income. Dad is medically retired and mom will be unable to work following her upcoming surgeries. They need financial support to help with their never-ending medical expenses for copays for both appointments and prescriptions, medical supplies, as well as daily living expenses.
Our family is trying to decrease the unbelievable amount of stress that both have endured by helping them financially. No donation is too small! They have raised and help educate the three of us and have always put their children’s needs above their own. Please help us put them first and make life a little easier. Help support them as they wait to receive their organ transplants. Money raised will help offset occurred debt and help supplement their income as they hopefully recuperate from their future surgeries.
We are so grateful for all those that have helped us thus far and continue to be there for us. We have set up this campaign after numerous requests for ways for others to help. Any donation is welcome but if you are unable we ask that you please share our GoFundMe link on all your social media and even consider joining the organ donor list. Information on becoming a donor in New York can be found at http://www.unyts.org/
With our unending gratitude,
Nina Calarco, Christina & Adam Wawrzyniak and Michael & Angela Calarco
Michael’s Story
On November 12, 2015 our Dad, Michael, was acting out of character, confused, and disorientated. Upon arrival to the hospital, his heart failed, requiring four resuscitations and a hospital stay at Strong Memorial for over four months. The longest four months of our lives! We celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and our Mom’s birthday in his hospital room. He had lots of love and support from friends and family but no one understands better than our Mom, Jamie the meaning of support. She stayed by his side night and day only leaving for her own appointments and dialysis. She slept in the hospital chair right beside him while he was in ICU, on the recovery floor, and right through rehab for a grand total of 127 nights! In his stay our dad endured 3 open heart surgeries, a stroke, requiring an additional brain surgery and is now surviving with the assist of a medical device known as an LVAD; a life-sustaining device that helps to pump the blood through his body. He can no longer work or drive and has numerous weekly medical appointments including speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy. He returns to Strong Memorial every few weeks from his home in Niagara Falls for follow-up appointments and continues to work hard at home on his recovery. Right now he relies on the support of his family and friends to help him live each day to the fullest. He was once a very strong, independent man. By trade he was a pipefitter and his favorite pastimes included bowling and hunting. He is the proud grandfather of 2 grandchildren, which he and our mom used to care for 5 days a week. He is working everyday toward the goal of being able to hunt this fall with his son and dear friends. Then, ultimately receive a heart transplant due to his diagnosis of End Stage heart failure. If you have had the wonderful opportunity to meet our father you know first hand that he is the most generous and genuine man you will ever meet. Always the first to dedicate himself to anyone in need and never expect anything in return. While he is not expecting anything now either we are reaching out for any support to make things just a bit easier for him on this journey.
Jamie’s Story
Now meet our mom, Jamie, who learned 4 years ago that she was in the beginning stages of renal failure and has been waiting on the kidney transplant list for nearly 3 years. Prior to Dad’s health issues he was her kidney care partner, administering her dialysis to her at home. Since then roles have reversed, and she now manages her own care while caring for him as well. Sadly, during this time our mom has been called twice to receive kidneys, unfortunately circumstances caused neither to come to fruition. On top of everything she just recently learned that she is currently not eligible to be on the active kidney transplant list because of a growth on her thyroid. She needs to have her thyroid removed before being placed on this list again. Thyroid surgery is expected within the next few weeks with the hopes of a kidney shortly to follow. Our mom has a big heart, cares for her husband on a daily basis, and continues to try and make sense of the challenges she has endured over the past year. Reading her Facebook posts will help anyone understand these challenges!
The Unfortunate Reality
Medical expenses for our wonderful parents have exceeded over one million dollars. Weekly co-pays alone are a burden. They have had to purchase and install a generator because of needed power to support our dad’s medical device. They even had to replace several major appliances due to a power surge when the generator was installed.
Our parents have limited income. Dad is medically retired and mom will be unable to work following her upcoming surgeries. They need financial support to help with their never-ending medical expenses for copays for both appointments and prescriptions, medical supplies, as well as daily living expenses.
Our family is trying to decrease the unbelievable amount of stress that both have endured by helping them financially. No donation is too small! They have raised and help educate the three of us and have always put their children’s needs above their own. Please help us put them first and make life a little easier. Help support them as they wait to receive their organ transplants. Money raised will help offset occurred debt and help supplement their income as they hopefully recuperate from their future surgeries.
We are so grateful for all those that have helped us thus far and continue to be there for us. We have set up this campaign after numerous requests for ways for others to help. Any donation is welcome but if you are unable we ask that you please share our GoFundMe link on all your social media and even consider joining the organ donor list. Information on becoming a donor in New York can be found at http://www.unyts.org/
With our unending gratitude,
Nina Calarco, Christina & Adam Wawrzyniak and Michael & Angela Calarco
Organizer and beneficiary
Jamie Calarco
Beneficiary