Support Mark's Lung Transplant Journey

I am raising funds to support my mother and my stepdad, Mark. As many of you know, this past year has been incredibly difficult for my family. We lost everything in the Park Fire, including my parents’ livelihood, and on top of that, they have been navigating Mark’s worsening health. The emotional toll has been overwhelming, and the financial strain has only grown as they work to rebuild their lives while also preparing for Mark’s lung transplant.

Now, we finally have a light at the end of the tunnel—Mark has been officially listed for a lung transplant. While this is incredible news, it also comes with significant financial challenges, as they will need to temporarily relocate to San Francisco for an extended period of time for his recovery.

Below is a note from my mom explaining more about Mark’s journey. Any support, whether through a donation or sharing this fundraiser, would mean the world to us. Thank you for keeping them in your thoughts during this time.

A note from Rachel:

My husband’s journey with Interstitial Lung Disease began just under two years ago. We were outside walking up to our cabin when I heard, “Honey, I can’t breathe.” There are 200 different lung diseases that fall under the umbrella of ILD, many of them terminal, offering very few treatments, with the only “cure” being a lung transplant. Mark went through a year and a half of testing, first at UC Davis and then, after a hospitalization in March of 2023, transferring his care to UCSF. Finally, in May of 2024, he received a formal diagnosis of progressive unclassified interstitial lung disease (UILD). Like many ILDs, Mark’s UILD involves fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs. As the fibrosis spreads, the lungs lose their ability to support our most vital function—breathing.

The plan following Mark’s diagnosis was to transfer his care to the UCSF lung transplant team. At that time, Mark was using oxygen 24/7 but remained very active. He was in our gym six days a week, determined not to let this disease hold him back and to keep feeling as strong as possible. Then, at the same time we were preparing to begin his lung transplant evaluation, we were hit with the Park Fire. Our goal after the fire was to get settled as soon as possible so we could begin the necessary trips to UCSF for testing. The lung transplant evaluation process involves an extensive battery of medical tests and procedures, as well as psychological and social evaluations, and requires having a dedicated post-transplant caregiver team. It’s truly a gift to reach the end of this rigorous process and hear the words, “You are a candidate and will be listed.”

Just last week, we made our way back to UCSF for what was supposed to be Mark’s final exams and a meeting with one of the lung transplant surgeons. At the same time, Mark was noticeably declining. We made it through his exams, but during our appointment with the surgeon on March 5th, we had to admit him to the ER. He spent 24 hours in the ER before being transferred to the ICU. Within a few days, his oxygen requirements became too high for him to live outside of the hospital.

The question then became, “Is Mark stable enough for a transplant, or has he lost his window?” Anyone who knows Mark knows he is a fighter—his determination and goal-setting are all-encompassing. He has spent the past week in the ICU, surrounded by family and an incredible support team of staff. He has done nothing but work to gain weight, rest, and prepare for physical therapy so he can recondition himself for this life-saving surgery. And as of March 12th, we received the wonderful news that he is now officially listed for transplant.

We are incredibly fortunate that Mark has Medicare, which covers his medical bills. However, we live four hours from San Francisco, and a lung transplant is a major, life-saving procedure that requires extensive aftercare. Ideally, Mark could be in the hospital for two weeks post-transplant, but any complications could extend that stay significantly. After discharge, we are required to live in San Francisco (within city limits, no bridges) for at least six more weeks. This means securing short-term housing, such as an apartment rental or Airbnb. If we are fortunate enough to return home within three months, we will still have frequent trips back to UCSF for check-ups and bronchoscopies over the next two years.

In addition to these challenges, I have had to stop working to focus entirely on Mark’s care, which has added another financial burden to our family. Caregiving is a full-time responsibility, and with Mark’s increasing needs both before and after transplant, it is essential that I am by his side every step of the way.

This is something we had been financially preparing for a year ago, but unfortunately, as many of you know, the Park Fire destroyed everything we had. In the wake of that loss, we have been focused on rebuilding our lives while also navigating the increasing challenges of Mark’s illness. Now, as we step into this critical stage of his journey, we are faced with the reality that the costs of housing, travel, and ongoing medical care in San Francisco are far beyond what we can manage alone.

We are reaching out to our friends, family, and community for support in any way—whether through a donation, sharing our story, or simply keeping Mark in your thoughts as he fights for this new chance at life. Any contribution will help ease the financial strain and allow us to focus on what matters most—Mark’s healing and recovery. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness and generosity.