My cousin Brian has been battling chronic kidney disease caused by membranous nephropathy with incredible grace, strength, and optimism. As his condition has progressively worsened, he has reached the point of needing nightly at-home peritoneal dialysis just to sustain his health and keep him going each day. This journey has already been incredibly hard on Brian and his family, but after so much uncertainty, there is finally hope. In an extraordinary turn, Brian’s wife, Catherine, was found to be a match and will be donating her kidney to him on April 27. What a gift, what a sacrifice, and what an act of love. While this transplant brings hope for a healthier future, it also means that both Brian and Catherine will be facing major surgery, physical recovery, emotional stress, and time away from work at the exact same time. That is the part that makes this especially heavy. This is not just one person undergoing a life-changing medical event. It is both of them. At the same time, they will still be trying to hold their family together, manage everyday expenses, and care for their 6-year-old daughter, Frankie.


The Bulgarelli's are the people who show up for others without hesitation. They are generous, loving, and always willing to help carry someone else through a hard time. Now they need that same support in return. The road ahead will be physically, emotionally, and financially demanding. Between medical bills, lost income, daily living expenses, and the responsibilities of parenting through recovery, this next chapter will place a tremendous burden on their family. During this time, their focus needs to be on healing, recovery, and being there for one another. Any support, whether through a donation, sharing this page, or keeping them in your thoughts and prayers, will make a meaningful difference and help ease the weight they are carrying. Please consider donating and sharing. Let’s show up for the Bulgarellis the way they have always shown up for so many others.