Let’s start at the beginning ~

Marlo grew up in a loving, fun and Catholic Italian family in Livermore California. She attended St. Michael’s school and played soccer on the “Wildflowers” team. At thirteen her father was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and everything changed. He was such a light in the family, as he became weaker, Marlo learned what it was to be compassionate. She helped feed him, take him on walks in his wheelchair and tried to make it fun, also she attended all of the ALS support group meetings in San Francisco with her mom. After he died when she was 16, she moved to Chico California- he was definitely her hero.

After high school and two years of college, Marlo moved to Jackson California right below Lake Tahoe. She married and started her dream job at Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort. At 22 years old she contracted type 1 diabetes through a virus that attacked her pancreas and immediately became insulin dependent. Marlo absolutely loves children, she has many nieces, nephews and 4 godchildren! Because of the severity of her diabetes she was not able to have her own.

After seventeen years of working with the kindest tribe- Jackson Band of Miwuk Indians, who treated her as family- her coworkers became her lifelong friends and she had many great relationships with the guests. Marlo’s kidneys began to fail; her legs, ankles and feet swelled three times their size and she had to wear sweats and slippers to work because she couldn’t fit in her business suits. With great sadness- Marlo had to leave all that she loved and move to Arizona with her mom to be near the Mayo Clinic who specializes in pancreas and kidney transplants.

Marlo found a great team of doctors and her health improved pretty quickly so she decided to go back to work! She was hired at Desert Diamond Casino West Valley as a supervisor and it was a perfect fit! Quickly…. they became good friends and treated her like family. Unfortunately it didn’t last and her kidneys completely failed. After many emergency rooms visits and hospital stays, again…she had to leave what she loved.

For Marlo to survive she had to start kidney dialysis. She is so grateful for the doctors, nurses and staff who have helped her, the procedure itself is very hard on her body leaving her very weak and tired. Marlo needs a kidney and pancreas transplant as her only option to a better quality of life.

Marlo has always cared about others; she collects food and clothes for the hungry and homeless. When she was working she would buy gift certificates to get toys for children on the “angel tree”. She also helped her mom distribute Holy Communion at St. Joseph’s hospital in Arizona two times a month for over two years. She knows what it is to do small things with great love. Marlo also has a heart full of love for animals. Many times she has rescued abused and unloved dogs….especially big ones!

The cost of a double organ transplant is $860,000 and the amino suppressants that she will have to take the rest of her life are $3,000 monthly. Your contribution will go towards what her insurance doesn’t cover.

It is with great prayers and gratitude that she is reaching out for your help in accompanying her on this life saving journey… Thank you so very much!