Mark Krammes

Mark needs your help!

Just as Mark was looking forward to retirement, his life was completely thrown into upheaval last November when he was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). The diagnosis was confirmed with a lung biopsy. You may not have even realized this, as Mark appears healthy. With no known cause of this incurable disease, which builds up a layer of scar tissue in the lungs, Mark is gradually losing his ability to breathe. The only hope for a healthy life is a lung transplant. Without a transplant, the median survival rate post-diagnosis is 2.5 to 3.5 years. It is imperative that Mark receive a double lung transplant soon. Mark has completed the extensive evaluation process at Temple University Hospital where it was determined that he is a good candidate and will soon be placed on the active transplant waiting list.

You may have met Mark at Alfred Benesch Engineering in Pottsville, PA where he is employed as a Engineering Technologist. Or you may have grown up with Mark in Pine Grove, where he has been a lifelong resident. He graduated from Pine Grove High school in 1971, then attended Williamson Trade School, Media, PA, graduating in 1974. When he was younger, he had worked for Ebinger Iron Works in Schuylkill Haven. He enjoyed several hobbies prior to his lung condition including: motorcycling, hunting, home renovation projects and travel. Most recently, Mark and I were married on September 30th, and we are committed to supporting each other through this crisis–but we need your prayers and your help!

Transplants are life-saving but financially draining. Even with insurance, Mark will have many uninsured transplant-related expenses such as: co-pays and deductibles, doctor visits, travel and temporary post-transplant housing near to Temple and the costly anti-rejection medications that he will need to take for the rest of his life. Even with much support from family, these expenses will be more than we can handle.

To help with the financial burden of Mark’s uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in his honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a trusted non-profit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Mid-Atlantic Lung Transplant Fund and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant -related expenses only. Please consider making an end-of year tax-deductible donation today and click the DONATE NOW button.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and generosity. Keep an eye on Mark’s campaign for future updates.

Gratefully,
Maryann Hoffman-Krammes, Mark’s wife
570-345-2585