Marc Pugliese & Family Support Page

EDIT 3/10: Marc Pugliese lost his battle with Kidney Disease and passed away on March 5th, 2019 at the age of 49.  Marc fought until the very end while awaiting  a healthy enough diagnosis for a kidney transplant. He leaves behind his loving wife Cara and their wonderful children, Ryan and Caitlin. Please consider donating at this time to assist the family with funeral arrangements and a continued fight to handle the mounting debts associated with Marc's medication, treatment and care. Thank you for all the love and support ❤️



My brother-in-law needs help during his fight for a new kidney - anything you can donate to help him and his family with mounting costs would be greatly appreciated! 

Christmas Eve, December 24th, 2016 - 

You probably remember this day, last holiday season. I'm sure we all have fond memories of wrapping/unwrapping presents, dinner with friends or family, church services, caroling or watching your favorite Christmas movies (Elf? Christmas Carol? Grinch who stole Christmas?).  It's a day full of cheer, thankfulness, giving spirit and excitement amongst family and friends. 

The Skinker/Pugliese family were suddenly trading yuletide greetings for hopes and prayers.  Marc Pugliese, husband to Cara Pugliese (Skinker), was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).  His kidneys were failing, operating at only 7% efficiency. Marc, everyone's favorite teddy bear, goofball grease monkey - had developed high blood pressure, blurred vision, eye swelling/blood clots, and was suffering from extreme fatigue and nausea in recent days from the buildup of toxins from his failing kidneys. As most of the men in our family tend to do, Marc tried to tough it out until he had no other choice.


Next 6 Months -

After months of restricted diet, lifestyle changes and countless trips to the doctor's office, it was determined his kidneys were not improving.  The Nephrologist recommended Marc seek a kidney transplant.

Marc underwent a battery of tests in the spring/summer months with Johns Hopkins transplant team, ultimately deciding Marc was a very serious candidate for a transplant. 

The following few months have been an eye opening and challenging time for the family, witnessing the obstacles people go through all the time when in need of such procedures. 

Marc was in and out of work for an extended period of time due to 2 emergency surgeries he desperately needed.  Luckily, Marc has begun dialysis to assist in his day to day functionality but the stark realization that he needs a kidney transplant is a heavy burden to bear for Cara and her family. 

After paying over $15K already in out of pocket healthcare expenses, there's still a lot of wood to chop to catch up with past expenses and medications,  with no sign of relief in the future. With changes in healthcare policies, premiums and coverage for things so desperately needed as daily medications on the horizon, it's a daunting task. Cara is currently going through the proper steps for a kidney swap program. If she is not a perfect match for Marc, she will donate her kidney in order to receive one that will be compatible with him.  Once Marc receives his transplant, they BOTH will be out of work for months at a time. 


In Need of Your Generosity 

My brother-in-law needs help during his fight for a new kidney - anything you can donate to help him and his family with mounting costs would be greatly appreciated!