Mark Gasswint

I worked in an auto body shop for 40+ years and loved it. I “retired” early due to my chronic medical conditions and eyesight.

You may be wondering how I got my kidney. We knew in May 2019 that my numbers were low enough to be placed on the list. We chose Penn State Hershey Hospital. With my large family we thought the chances to have a living donor was pretty high. The doctors would not test our daughter as this disease is hereditary. In February 2020, we found out we had a living donor. We asked the family but no one had been tested yet so who could it be? Our niece had secretly been tested and was a great match.

I have a beautiful family, Bobbie, my wife and Courtney, our daughter, who have been by my side through this medical rollercoaster. My mother-in-law drives me to appointments and makes the best soups. My siblings (3) , their spouse, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles are very supportive. In 1989, my mom had her kidney transplant. She also had Type 1 Diabetes. I remember her sitting at the kitchen table at night with a steel wool pad. This is how she would sharpen her needles. Medicine has come a long way.

God has provided me with a great team of doctors who help keep me alive. My transplant team and nephrologist continue to make sure my kidney likes its new home. In 2019, I had unexpected open heart surgery for a mechanical valve replacement.

My cardiologist and endocrinologist make sure my heart and blood sugars remain in check. Once I was in a specialized foot cast for an entire year and required weekly visits to my podiatrist who saved my foot from amputation! I kept working and had to figure out new positions to fit intounder a car body. Our family dog, Emmie, has sniffed out three infections before they came to the surface. My retina specialist has been amazing! My eyesight in my left eye was in rapid decline for several years. They can no longer perform laser surgery. I have a sliver of vision in it if I tilt my head. I pray to keep my vision to see and walk our beautiful daughter down the aisle. During all of this I also had very bad periodontal disease. In 2013, I had my teeth removed for dentures. Due to my declining health, the oral surgeon decided to do the removal in two stages. I could not believe I had to go through that pain twice. All of these professionals are miracle workers and lift me up
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I have lived within 15 miles of my childhood home. Our family was very involved in the fire department and we all pitched in to help my brother run the annual carnival. I was the Bingo man! I enjoy being active in our church. I currently serve as a deacon and reach out to our members when they need help or a shoulder. I enjoy walking our dog as I was not able to do this for a long time. I also maintained an historic 1789 Quaker Meeting House and cemetery for 20 years but had to stop due to health.

With medical expenses rising, Your generosity will be used for insurance deductibles, rejection medicine for life, specialized shoes, glasses for my ever changing eyesight, monthly insulin pump and CGM supplies, and quarterly specialist blood work which is not covered by insurance. How can you help, donate to my fundraising campaign if you are able, come to my fundraising events, and share my story and page with your community.
Thank you for your support!

Family and friends of Mark Gasswint are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with transplantation.

Mark has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!