My dad, Corey, went to the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix on 12/8 for final testing to be cleared for kidney donation. Instead, he was hospitalized with necrotizing fasciitis and spent three weeks undergoing unexpected surgeries and intensive care.

After finally being discharged last week on his and Mark’s wedding anniversary, he didn’t even make it 12 hours at home before his dialysis center had to call an ambulance. He was re-intubated, admitted to the ICU again, and is currently en route on yet another life flight back to Mayo. This hospital is over nine hours from home.

Corey lives with end-stage renal failure, paralysis from a prior suspected stroke, a seizure disorder, chronic pain syndrome, and severe autoimmune and vascular complications. He spent Christmas in a hospital bed and will spend his birthday there too. He was denied as a transplant candidate in Albuquerque because his medical situation is too complex. Mayo Clinic is his only remaining option. Even now, he can’t complete donor testing until his seizures are stabilized, his arm heals from necrotizing fasciitis, and he can undergo fistula repair surgery for continued dialysis.

Despite everything, he is still fighting, but he is exhausted. We’ve had more than one “I can’t do this anymore” and “I’m tired” conversations. He keeps going because we still believe there is a chance to get better; he wants to fight.

His husband and our Papo, Mark, has not left his side. That has meant weeks away from home, their two dachshunds, and any sense of normal life. Mark owns and operates a food truck, but being out of state caring means he can’t work. At one point, he even talked about signing up for Uber Eats in Arizona just to afford staying near the hospital. No one should have to choose between staying with their spouse in the ICU and delivering food to survive financially.

Traveling out of state for life-saving care isn’t just overwhelming; it’s financially crushing. Gas, lodging, food, transportation, medical travel logistics, and lost income add up quickly. The strain has become so heavy that my dad has talked about leaving the hospital against medical advice simply to not be a burden on his family. This has been such a hard road and journey.

We are starting this fundraiser so money does not become the reason he gives up care or hope.

Funds raised will help cover:

• Travel and lodging during extended hospital stays

• Food and daily living expenses while out of state

• Lost income

• Basic stability so medical decisions can be made based on health, not survival

If you are able to donate or share, we are deeply grateful. Every bit helps keep Corey where he needs to be so that he can fight and start to see his treatment at Mayo, where the best doctors are, as a blessing and not a financial burden.