Skelly Family Fund
Donation protected
Kevin Skelly was a childhood cancer survivor before he was 5 years old.
His journey with pediatric cancer took him to a summer camp for children who are affected by childhood cancer, where he earned the nickname “Vinnie.” And, it was where, as a teenager, he met the love of his life, Kelly, also a pediatric cancer survivor. When Kevin finally got the courage to talk to Kelly at the flagpole at camp, a beautiful, lifelong love was born.
Kevin and Kelly dated off and on — mostly on — throughout high school and college. Together they volunteered at the same summer camp where they met, and it was there, under the very same flagpole, that Kevin proposed to Kelly in 2005. They married the following year and began a family in 2010.
In 2016, Kevin experienced some unexplained bruising. He was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), immediately began chemotherapy, and, in 2017, received a bone marrow transplant from his older sister, Sharon. Kevin and Kelly resumed their busy lives with their three children, although their new, post-cancer “normal” included increased vigilance and extra trips to the oncologist.
During the fall of 2018, Kevin tripped at home and broke his pelvis. An average 38-year-old man wouldn’t likely have suffered such an injury. But, for a two-time cancer survivor, this signaled the need for a deeper inquiry. Kevin had indeed relapsed.
Armed with a fighting spirit and with Kelly by his side, Kevin immediately began chemotherapy again, and another bone marrow donor was sought. Kevin’s younger sister, Meghan, was a match, and his second bone marrow transplant was completed in spring 2019. Kevin experienced a few expected complications, but he made progress until early July when he was admitted to the hospital with a parainfluenza infection.
Kevin was eventually transferred to the ICU at Northside Hospital and remained there for almost sixty days. Fluid built up in his lungs. He was intubated, twice, and placed on a ventilator. Kevin and Kelly discussed treatment options and together decided on a RotoProne bed to address the fluid buildup in his lungs. Kevin made progress after the RotoProne treatment, was alert and able to communicate via a handheld white board.
However, Kevin began having setbacks, and the parainfluenza continued to cause issues. His lungs began to show signs of scarring. His alveoli — the small sacs in our lungs that allow oxygen to pass into our bodies — were not functioning well and air began to seep out of his lungs into his body. Kevin’s condition became irreversible.
Kevin turned 40 on August 20th while in the ICU. Ten days later, Kelly had to make the unthinkable decision whether to prolong the inevitable, or to let Kevin to pass in comfort and with dignity. As she has throughout Kevin’s illness, she exhibited awe-inspiring faith, a steely resolve, and a single-minded focus on Kevin and their children. Kevin passed away on August 30, 2019.
Kelly is now left to raise their three children — ages 9, 5 and 3 — without Kevin. This fund will help meet their immediate and near-term expenses. These include, but are not limited to, funeral, burial and related costs as well as the residual medical costs not covered by insurance.
Initially, our goal was to raise $40,000 in honor of Kevin’s recent birthday. However, in light of the fact that Kelly’s expenses will greatly exceed that amount, we will reset the goal as needed.
If you have any questions about other ways to help the Skelly family, please feel free to contact me through contact button near the bottom of this page. If you wish to help but prefer to remain anonymous, please know that anonymous donations through GoFundMe may be listed as "anonymous" on the page, but Kelly will be able to see names associated with all donations. If you would rather your support be completely anonymous to the family, please contact me at the button below and I can make the necessary arrangements. I am both a friend of the Skellys and an attorney.
Thank you for your kindness and your support of the Skelly family. Thank you to Jonathan, Katie and Kristine for helping me write this.
His journey with pediatric cancer took him to a summer camp for children who are affected by childhood cancer, where he earned the nickname “Vinnie.” And, it was where, as a teenager, he met the love of his life, Kelly, also a pediatric cancer survivor. When Kevin finally got the courage to talk to Kelly at the flagpole at camp, a beautiful, lifelong love was born.
Kevin and Kelly dated off and on — mostly on — throughout high school and college. Together they volunteered at the same summer camp where they met, and it was there, under the very same flagpole, that Kevin proposed to Kelly in 2005. They married the following year and began a family in 2010.
In 2016, Kevin experienced some unexplained bruising. He was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), immediately began chemotherapy, and, in 2017, received a bone marrow transplant from his older sister, Sharon. Kevin and Kelly resumed their busy lives with their three children, although their new, post-cancer “normal” included increased vigilance and extra trips to the oncologist.
During the fall of 2018, Kevin tripped at home and broke his pelvis. An average 38-year-old man wouldn’t likely have suffered such an injury. But, for a two-time cancer survivor, this signaled the need for a deeper inquiry. Kevin had indeed relapsed.
Armed with a fighting spirit and with Kelly by his side, Kevin immediately began chemotherapy again, and another bone marrow donor was sought. Kevin’s younger sister, Meghan, was a match, and his second bone marrow transplant was completed in spring 2019. Kevin experienced a few expected complications, but he made progress until early July when he was admitted to the hospital with a parainfluenza infection.
Kevin was eventually transferred to the ICU at Northside Hospital and remained there for almost sixty days. Fluid built up in his lungs. He was intubated, twice, and placed on a ventilator. Kevin and Kelly discussed treatment options and together decided on a RotoProne bed to address the fluid buildup in his lungs. Kevin made progress after the RotoProne treatment, was alert and able to communicate via a handheld white board.
However, Kevin began having setbacks, and the parainfluenza continued to cause issues. His lungs began to show signs of scarring. His alveoli — the small sacs in our lungs that allow oxygen to pass into our bodies — were not functioning well and air began to seep out of his lungs into his body. Kevin’s condition became irreversible.
Kevin turned 40 on August 20th while in the ICU. Ten days later, Kelly had to make the unthinkable decision whether to prolong the inevitable, or to let Kevin to pass in comfort and with dignity. As she has throughout Kevin’s illness, she exhibited awe-inspiring faith, a steely resolve, and a single-minded focus on Kevin and their children. Kevin passed away on August 30, 2019.
Kelly is now left to raise their three children — ages 9, 5 and 3 — without Kevin. This fund will help meet their immediate and near-term expenses. These include, but are not limited to, funeral, burial and related costs as well as the residual medical costs not covered by insurance.
Initially, our goal was to raise $40,000 in honor of Kevin’s recent birthday. However, in light of the fact that Kelly’s expenses will greatly exceed that amount, we will reset the goal as needed.
If you have any questions about other ways to help the Skelly family, please feel free to contact me through contact button near the bottom of this page. If you wish to help but prefer to remain anonymous, please know that anonymous donations through GoFundMe may be listed as "anonymous" on the page, but Kelly will be able to see names associated with all donations. If you would rather your support be completely anonymous to the family, please contact me at the button below and I can make the necessary arrangements. I am both a friend of the Skellys and an attorney.
Thank you for your kindness and your support of the Skelly family. Thank you to Jonathan, Katie and Kristine for helping me write this.
Organizer
Christopher Thurman
Organizer
Cumming, GA