Help Marci Gibellino Fight Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Help Marci Gibellino Fight Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Hi, my name is Jared DeVincenzo and I’m reaching out to share my sister Marci’s story and ask for your support during this incredibly difficult time.

On Thursday, November 21st, Marci went to the ER after experiencing tingling and numbness in her extremities and severe back pain for about a week. She walked into the hospital that morning, but by the end of the day, she was unable to walk. The next day, she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare and serious neurological disorder where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system.

GBS can range from mild symptoms to severe cases causing paralysis and difficulty breathing. Unfortunately, Marci’s case has been one of the most aggressive the medical team has seen. Over the past few weeks, she has progressively lost movement, leaving her unable to move her arms, legs, head, and even her eyes.

Marci has undergone several treatments, including IVIG therapy and plasma exchange, to help reduce the immune system's attack on her nerves. Despite these efforts, she required a ventilator to support her breathing, and this week she will undergo a tracheostomy to provide long-term respiratory assistance. In addition to GBS, she has faced life-threatening complications such as a pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, and sepsis, making her journey even more challenging.

Recovery from GBS is a long road. Marci will need weeks, possibly months, of intensive inpatient rehabilitation to relearn basic functions like moving, speaking, and walking. Recovery timelines vary, and we are hopeful she can regain her abilities as quickly as possible, but there is no way to predict how long this will take.

While Marci focuses on her recovery, her husband Julian has taken on the monumental task of managing their home and caring for their three young children (ages 6, 4, and 2) on his own. With Marci unable to work, the family is facing significant financial challenges, including medical bills, household expenses, and the cost of her long-term care.

We are humbly asking for your support to help ease the financial burden on their family during this time. Your donation will allow Marci and Julian to focus on her recovery and provide stability for their children. Any amount is deeply appreciated and will make a meaningful difference.

Should there be any leftover funds, they will be donated to the GBS | CIDP Foundation International, which supports patients and families affected by Guillain-Barré Syndrome and related disorders.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for reading Marci’s story and considering helping her and her family. Please keep Marci in your thoughts and prayers as she continues this fight.

Even if you’re unable to donate, sharing this page with your friends and family would mean the world to us. Thank you for being part of Marci’s support system during this challenging time.

With love and gratitude,

Jared DeVincenzo