Go Leo! Medical Fund
Donation protected
It is with deep sorrow that I tell you that Leo, the Iron Man, lost his long-fought battle. Leo passed away on Sunday morning, Sept. 30. Throughout his fight, his spirit was not broken, yet his body just couldn’t handle it any longer. One of the last conversations I had with him, he told me how grateful he was to get so much love from you all. So I thank you for bringing joy to him this past month.
Friends and family are invited to gather at the Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at Meadowridge Memorial Park, 7250 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge, Maryland 21075 on Saturday, October 6 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. to remember Leo and share stories. Inurnment will be held at a later date. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/
Also, we will keep this fund open as an educational fund for his daughters, as well as a fund to cover lingering medical expenses.
Leo's Journey
Heart transplant. Kidney failure. Cancer. Leo Maruschak has been courageously battling many medical issues for the past decade. It all started with a viral heart disease that had been weakening his heart. It all culminated about two years ago when his heart was so weak, that he needed a heart transplant.
After visiting his doctor, Leo wasn’t given a choice: He had to go directly to Johns Hopkins Hospital and wait to receive a heart transplant—or he wouldn’t live. So, for two months he waited in his hospital ward, not being able to leave or even get a breath of fresh air, until a perfect match was found. To keep his spirits up, his friends and family visited and would bring him special dinners that met his restricted diet. But, the long wait was emotionally hard on him.
Then, on May 12, 2016, the doctors found his match and the heart transplant was performed. We were all so grateful that he had a chance to live! But, at the same time, we were also very aware that someone else had passed away to be able to give the gift of life to someone else. For that we are eternally thankful.
After a lot of ups and downs during recovery from his heart transplant, he was finally sent home from the hospital. But, the medical conditions continued. Although his heart was performing well, his kidney was not. It was determined that he has kidney failure. So, since the heart transplant in 2016, he has had regular kidney dialysis treatments.
As he prepared to get placed on the kidney transplant list, Leo was diagnosed with cancer. So, the kidney would have to wait. After two rounds of chemo, in which the first series wasn’t effective and he had to do another round, he beat the cancer! But, as Leo’s health problems continue, he has recently (August 2018) been diagnosed with cancer again. He’ll undergo chemo again with at least 8-12 sessions, or more.
During the past two+ years, Leo has been in and out of Johns Hopkins, or as we jokingly refer to it “Hotel Hopkins,” and has been unable to work. His wife, Julie, has been working multiple nursing jobs to make ends meet. But, the medical bills keep piling up.
Many have asked how you can help, so this page was created to help with Leo’s various financial needs, including medical costs for past and future procedures. Leo is strong and we know that he can get through this, and it’s being made easier with this added support.
The Maruschak, Ruff, Farrington and Wichmann families all thank you for your kindness!
Friends and family are invited to gather at the Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at Meadowridge Memorial Park, 7250 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge, Maryland 21075 on Saturday, October 6 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. to remember Leo and share stories. Inurnment will be held at a later date. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/
Also, we will keep this fund open as an educational fund for his daughters, as well as a fund to cover lingering medical expenses.
Leo's Journey
Heart transplant. Kidney failure. Cancer. Leo Maruschak has been courageously battling many medical issues for the past decade. It all started with a viral heart disease that had been weakening his heart. It all culminated about two years ago when his heart was so weak, that he needed a heart transplant.
After visiting his doctor, Leo wasn’t given a choice: He had to go directly to Johns Hopkins Hospital and wait to receive a heart transplant—or he wouldn’t live. So, for two months he waited in his hospital ward, not being able to leave or even get a breath of fresh air, until a perfect match was found. To keep his spirits up, his friends and family visited and would bring him special dinners that met his restricted diet. But, the long wait was emotionally hard on him.
Then, on May 12, 2016, the doctors found his match and the heart transplant was performed. We were all so grateful that he had a chance to live! But, at the same time, we were also very aware that someone else had passed away to be able to give the gift of life to someone else. For that we are eternally thankful.
After a lot of ups and downs during recovery from his heart transplant, he was finally sent home from the hospital. But, the medical conditions continued. Although his heart was performing well, his kidney was not. It was determined that he has kidney failure. So, since the heart transplant in 2016, he has had regular kidney dialysis treatments.
As he prepared to get placed on the kidney transplant list, Leo was diagnosed with cancer. So, the kidney would have to wait. After two rounds of chemo, in which the first series wasn’t effective and he had to do another round, he beat the cancer! But, as Leo’s health problems continue, he has recently (August 2018) been diagnosed with cancer again. He’ll undergo chemo again with at least 8-12 sessions, or more.
During the past two+ years, Leo has been in and out of Johns Hopkins, or as we jokingly refer to it “Hotel Hopkins,” and has been unable to work. His wife, Julie, has been working multiple nursing jobs to make ends meet. But, the medical bills keep piling up.
Many have asked how you can help, so this page was created to help with Leo’s various financial needs, including medical costs for past and future procedures. Leo is strong and we know that he can get through this, and it’s being made easier with this added support.
The Maruschak, Ruff, Farrington and Wichmann families all thank you for your kindness!
Organizer and beneficiary
Tracy Maruschak Ruff
Organizer
South Riding, VA
Leo Maruschak
Beneficiary
