Mark Andree's Heart Transplant
Donation protected
Mark Andree's Heart Transplant Fund
He is just 57 years old and a new heart will give him a good healthy life!
5000 people to donate $20 will give us a great start!
#marksnewheart
NO GIFT IS TOO SMALL!
It isn’t easy summing up the very heart and essence of the man you love in several paragraphs, but this is my attempt. My name is Brenda Andree and my husband, Mark, needs a heart transplant…
Mark was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease at the age of 25. Hodgkin’s is a curable blood cancer and Mark’s cancer was cured but the effects from the radiation treatment irreversibly damaged his heart. He recently celebrated his 57th birthday. In the years since his cancer cure, Mark has had major heart surgery (3 bypasses, an aortic valve replacement, and a mitral valve repair), several hospital stays for adhesions (scar tissue adhering to internal organs causing severe pain), surgery on his calf (complications from taking a blood thinner), and intestinal surgery (removal of 5 inches of dead tissue) all as a result of radiation damage from the cancer treatment.
Mark and I have raised two sons, Noah (age 20), and Drew (age 19). Mark’s only concern throughout these years of medical treatments and the ensuing medical bills has been taking care of the boys and me. He has worked hard at a physically demanding job as a systems technician for Comcast determined not to miss a single day despite his weakened physical condition. He did not stop working until his cardiologist put him on disability several months ago. He is passionate about taking care of his family.
In the 24 years that I’ve known Mark, I have witnessed his incredible courage, unwavering faith in God, and his determination to live life to the fullest despite years of being poked, prodded, and paraded around in a hospital gown. He rarely complains. Nurses admire him for his positive, friendly attitude, and he is my sweet man. I joke that he is like the Timex Watch whose sales pitch used to be, “Can take a licking and keep on ticking!” Unfortunately, time is running out for Mark’s heart; doctors have said his heart is too weak for anymore surgery or procedures and that without a new heart, his health will continue to deteriorate as a result of the radiation damage. He has been placed on the heart transplant list.
Before his heart began to weaken, Mark saved up some money and built a bicycle piece by piece by ordering bike parts on-line to his particular specifications. He was able to ride that bike for less than two years before his health began to decline. I would love to see Mark ride that bike again soon with a new heart. I would love to see him breathe deeply and be invigorated with new energy each morning. I would love to experience life watching Mark become a grandpa someday.
The most immediate way for him to receive a heart with the best quality care requires us to move to Los Angeles, California or to Minneapolis, MN for approximately 6 months to a year. The cost of a heart transplant and all of the medical necessities connected to it could exceed $1.5 million. This is an overwhelming expense even with insurance coverage. To offset some of this financial burden, we are humbly asking for your help. Any amount of money you would be willing to donate to Mark’s heart transplant fund would be greatly appreciated. No gift is too small and all gifts will be considered a great blessing to our family. Thank you.
He is just 57 years old and a new heart will give him a good healthy life!
5000 people to donate $20 will give us a great start!
#marksnewheart
NO GIFT IS TOO SMALL!
It isn’t easy summing up the very heart and essence of the man you love in several paragraphs, but this is my attempt. My name is Brenda Andree and my husband, Mark, needs a heart transplant…
Mark was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease at the age of 25. Hodgkin’s is a curable blood cancer and Mark’s cancer was cured but the effects from the radiation treatment irreversibly damaged his heart. He recently celebrated his 57th birthday. In the years since his cancer cure, Mark has had major heart surgery (3 bypasses, an aortic valve replacement, and a mitral valve repair), several hospital stays for adhesions (scar tissue adhering to internal organs causing severe pain), surgery on his calf (complications from taking a blood thinner), and intestinal surgery (removal of 5 inches of dead tissue) all as a result of radiation damage from the cancer treatment.
Mark and I have raised two sons, Noah (age 20), and Drew (age 19). Mark’s only concern throughout these years of medical treatments and the ensuing medical bills has been taking care of the boys and me. He has worked hard at a physically demanding job as a systems technician for Comcast determined not to miss a single day despite his weakened physical condition. He did not stop working until his cardiologist put him on disability several months ago. He is passionate about taking care of his family.
In the 24 years that I’ve known Mark, I have witnessed his incredible courage, unwavering faith in God, and his determination to live life to the fullest despite years of being poked, prodded, and paraded around in a hospital gown. He rarely complains. Nurses admire him for his positive, friendly attitude, and he is my sweet man. I joke that he is like the Timex Watch whose sales pitch used to be, “Can take a licking and keep on ticking!” Unfortunately, time is running out for Mark’s heart; doctors have said his heart is too weak for anymore surgery or procedures and that without a new heart, his health will continue to deteriorate as a result of the radiation damage. He has been placed on the heart transplant list.
Before his heart began to weaken, Mark saved up some money and built a bicycle piece by piece by ordering bike parts on-line to his particular specifications. He was able to ride that bike for less than two years before his health began to decline. I would love to see Mark ride that bike again soon with a new heart. I would love to see him breathe deeply and be invigorated with new energy each morning. I would love to experience life watching Mark become a grandpa someday.
The most immediate way for him to receive a heart with the best quality care requires us to move to Los Angeles, California or to Minneapolis, MN for approximately 6 months to a year. The cost of a heart transplant and all of the medical necessities connected to it could exceed $1.5 million. This is an overwhelming expense even with insurance coverage. To offset some of this financial burden, we are humbly asking for your help. Any amount of money you would be willing to donate to Mark’s heart transplant fund would be greatly appreciated. No gift is too small and all gifts will be considered a great blessing to our family. Thank you.
Organizer and beneficiary
Amanda Patterson
Organizer
Holland, MI
Mark Andree
Beneficiary
