Life of Brian

My friend of 30 years, Brian Mulroy, was diagnosed with Membraneous Nephropathy last February. This is a kidney disease which has ultimately required him to be on a daily regimen of the chemotherapy drug cytoxan. While this drug is holding the disease at bay for now, there is a risk that he might ultimately need either dialysis or a kidney transplantinn the near future.  Since April he has been unable to work due to the effects of both the disease itself and the chemotherapy.

Brian has worked for his family’s business installing and servicing wood and gas stoves for over 25 years. He’s always been the very definition of a workaholic, doing whatever was necessary to get the job done. I’ve had numerous cell phone calls with him where he’s up on a roof in below freezing weather, well after dark and punch-out time, trying to resolve a problem for a customer. 50-60 hour work weeks are the norm for him during the busy season.  Not being able to work is driving him crazy.

Due to his lengthy absence, the business has had to move on without him and he now has no form of income whatsoever. He’s been living off his savings since his paychecks stopped, but now that is just as exhausted as he is. He lives alone in Massachusetts except for his dog and cat. He has an 18 year old son, James, who lives in Arizona and recently spent a few months with Brian splitting wood and getting him ready for the winter.

Brian is one of the most kind hearted and giving people I know. He’s the guy you call at midnight when you’re stuck at the airport or when your dog sitter shafts you ten minutes before you leave on a trip. I’m just one in a long line of people who can call him a true friend. The problem is many of his friends and family don’t know the extent of his situation. He rarely posts anything about it on social media and he’s not out and about much these days so he’s kind of out of sight, out of mind.

I’m reaching out to try and raise a bit of money for Brian to help meet his basic needs…food, fuel, housing, transportation, etc. Any little bit will help. He initially told me he wanted nothing to do with this campaign and didn’t want me to do this, but after a very long conversation with me he realized he’s out of options.

I realize we all know people who are down on their luck and could use a helping hand. I’m sharing Brian’s story in the hopes that maybe you can spare a few bucks to send his way. Maybe that $25 you’d spend going out to the movies this weekend would buy a couple meals for him or help pay an electric bill.

Last October, I put out a similar call for help for a homeless guy I met whose vehicle was broken down. My Facebook friends raised the $2200 he needed to fix his van and get him on his way. I think everyone who helped got far more in return, in terms of helping out their fellow man, for the few bucks that they sent in. I’m hoping we can recreate that magic for Brian and at least help him get through the winter.


Thank you one and all. Have a GREAT Christmas Season. Be Safe.