A Brave Little Fighter Battling a Rare Disease

Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Kind Supporters,

We’re reaching out to ask for your compassion and support for a remarkable little boy and his devoted family.

Marcus Ivanko is just two years old — bright, playful, and full of life. But behind his joyful smile is a fierce battle: Marcus has been diagnosed with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome, a rare and life-threatening genetic disorder that weakens his immune system and severely lowers his platelet levels. Even a minor infection or injury could become serious.

A Hopeful Path Forward

The only known cure for Marcus is a bone marrow transplant, which will be obtained at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, a daunting but hopeful path that his family is courageously pursuing.

A Family Fighting Together

While Marcus undergoes treatment in Pittsburgh:

His father, Anthony, will stay by his side at the Ronald McDonald House.

His mother, Katie, will remain in Shippensburg, working and caring for their daughter, Brianna.

It’s a painful separation filled with love, sacrifice, and determination.

But as medical costs, travel, and daily expenses add up, the financial toll is growing.

What Your Support Can Do

$20/day for Ronald McDonald House (Estimated 45 days = $900)

$60/week for weekend travel (5 weeks = $300)

Travel expeses for the trips to and from Pittsburgh

Other unexpected needs

Every dollar helps relieve a burden. Every act of kindness makes a difference.

How You Can Help

Whether it’s a donation, sharing this message, or simply sending love and prayers, your support means the world.

Together, we can help Marcus’s family focus on what truly matters:

his healing, his hope, and his future.