Embedded Files
Meet Marcus: A Fighter, A Dreamer, and a True Inspiration
Marcus Richardson is a kid at heart and loves to make people laugh! He’s kind, curious, a bit stubborn, and full of determination. He’s a devoted husband, a loving father, a loyal friend, son, and brother. Life has handed Marcus more than his fair share of challenges, but he faces each one with courage, perseverance, and an unwavering sense of hope. And now, more than ever, Marcus needs our help!
Early Years and Diagnosis
Early Years and Diagnosis
At just 19 years old, Marcus was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes severe inflammation in the digestive tract. The years that followed were difficult, filled with hospital visits, medications, and unpredictable flares. But Marcus never let the illness define him. He earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. He married his college sweetheart, became a proud father to his son Micah, and built a meaningful career in finance and information technology.
A Life-Changing Stroke
A Life-Changing Stroke
In 2022, at just 39 years old and after nearly seven years of remission, Marcus experienced a major ulcerative colitis flare-up. While receiving treatment at the University of Chicago Medical Center, a severe medication reaction and widespread inflammation triggered a massive stroke that changed his life forever. What followed was an incredibly difficult period of recovery. Marcus underwent several emergency brain surgeries, spent time in a medically induced coma, had his colon removed, and remained in the hospital for over six months, including several weeks in the ICU.
Recovery, Rehabilitation, & Another Fight for His Life
Recovery, Rehabilitation, & Another Fight for His Life
Marcus came home in January 2023 and began the hard work of recovery. He started physical, occupational, and speech therapy to relearn how to walk, talk, read, and complete daily tasks. Not long after returning home, doctors discovered that the same inflammation that caused his stroke had also severely damaged his kidneys and urinary tract. Despite every effort to save his kidney function, the damage was irreversible.
In September 2024, Marcus began dialysis. It has helped keep him stable and out of the hospital, but it also leaves him exhausted and at risk for dehydration and seizures because of his complex medical history. Even so, Marcus continues to work hard in therapy and makes progress in his stroke recovery every day. Dialysis has slowed him down, but it has not stopped him!
Marcus is now on the kidney transplant list, and we are actively searching for a living donor!
What the Gift of a Kidney Will Do
What the Gift of a Kidney Will Do
A transplant isn’t just about surviving; it’s about giving Marcus the chance to truly live again. It means Marcus can continue his recovery, regain his energy, and live the full life he dreams of. It’s a chance to be more present with his family, explore the world, and chase the goals he has had to put on hold. With a new kidney, his doctors believe Marcus can live a long and fulfilling life surrounded by the people and experiences he loves most.
To learn more about kidney donation and helping Marcus, navigate to the links below!
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse