Support the Alessi Family in Memory of Zach

Zach Alessi was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) at 18 months old. He had a mostly normal physically active childhood playing baseball and football until he started having more serious pulmonary illnesses his junior year of high school. The summer between his junior and senior year of high school at Capistrano Valley Christian School, he developed a serious secondary infection called Mycobacterium Abscessus which greatly complicated things with his CF and overall health. During senior year, Zach had to give up being the quarterback the varsity football team due to his declining health. Upon graduating in the spring of 2019, Zach began attending California Baptist University (CBU), but only made it one semester before he had to drop out due to his continual failing health.

In early 2020, Zach’s lungs began to seriously decline due to the Cystic Fibrosis and Mycobacterium infection and The Alessi Family was told it was time for a double lung transplant. Because of this persistent, now even more serious Mycobacterium complication, Duke Hospital in Durham, North Carolina was recommended for the procedure as most transplant centers nationwide would not transplant a Mycobacterium patient. Zach, along with his parents Randy and Beth, needed to relocate to Durham, North Carolina and rent an apartment (which meant running two households) while Zach was listed for a transplant.

On May 5, 2021, Zach had his double lung transplant and all were hopeful the rehabilitation process would only consist of a few months allowing all to go back home to California. But complication after complication had developed mostly due to that residual Mycobacterium infection that moved to his chest cavity, prominently delaying Zach’s rehab and greatly extending the family’s time there in NC. After being on several IV meds and feeding tubes since the surgery in May 2021, Zach was diagnosed with PTLD, a form of post-transplant lymphoma. After countless further treatments, The Alessi Family was eventually able to go home to California.

Zach was able to go back to school at CBU and started interning at Tilden-Coil Constructors, Inc., a nearby construction company. He met the love of his life, Liz, in June of 2023 and instantly knew she was the one for him. His health started declining again in November 2023 and the two had an intimate marriage ceremony in January 2024 surrounded by their close family and friends. Liz has been a beautiful light for Zach and his family during the fast decline of his health.

On August 11th, 2024, at the young age of 23, Zach took his last breath surrounded by his family. There is peace knowing that Zach is now with Jesus and fully healed. This fundraiser has been set up to help the Alessi Family, who lost their beloved son, brother, and husband, Zach, after a courageous battle with Cystic Fibrosis. As his family faces this unimaginable grief, we please ask for help to ease their financial burden so they can focus on healing and remembering Zach in the way he deserves.

Any donation, no matter the size, will go directly to the Alessi Family to help with a memorial, cremation, burial, and other expenses that may arise. If you are unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser and keeping the family in your prayers would mean so much.

All who wish to honor Zach's life are warmly invited to attend the memorial service that will be on Monday, August 19th, 2024 at 10:00 am in the chapel of The Grove Community Church in Riverside, CA. Zach was known for cheering on his Pittsburgh teams and wearing his classic, white tennis shoes. In honor of him, please wear sports attire, jerseys, and white tennis shoes.

The Alessi Family thanks you for your generosity, compassion, and prayers during this difficult time.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith." - 2 Timothy 4:7