Marziale Foundation

The Marziale Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that supports children, veterans and athletes across initiatives for food insecurity, mental wellness, mentoring and adaptive sports programs.

Athlete. Driven. Recovery.

Ralph Marziale is a fighter, in spirit and in action. He is hoping to use his story to give back and highlight the people and organizations that helped save his life.

Ralph Marziale - Hockey Career

(1988 - 1992) Ralph was the all-time leading scorer in Johnston High history. 3 time all star, led the State in scoring his junior year and had most points in the state - 40 goals 28 assists in 14 games.
(1992 - 1993) Gunnery Prep - MVP and leading scorer prep D1
(1993-1994) - Junior A - USHL - Des Moines/Wisconsin - EJHL - Matt O'Niel Club
(1994 - 1995) Salem State - Championships - rookie of the year
(Pro Career) 5 Years in the Italy A league, 1 in Germany 2nd division and 4 years in minor leagues.

Double Lung Transplant

(2007) - Diagnosed with Scleroderma, an autoimmune disorder that unfortunately attacked his lungs.
(2011) - Ralph developed Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension which was a result of the Scleroderma.
(2020) - Ralph had a series of lung collapses. At this point, his Pulmonologist referred him to the transplant team at the University of Pennsylvania. After being on the transplant list for only two weeks, Ralph's lungs were completely failing which resulted in Ralph being airlifted to HUP. Ralph was placed on ECMO (full life support) and would remain in that state for a dreadful two weeks before his donor finally arrived.
(September 23, 2020) - Ralph underwent a seven-hour surgery and received new lungs.

Ralph's recovery has been extremely difficult.

(October 2021) - Ralph started at Performance Physical therapy (which is now Highbar) 3 days a week. His goal was to walk again.
(April 2023) - Ralph was diagnosed with Bacterial Pnuemonia/Hemoptysis resulting in cardiac arrest and having to be revived 3 times, suffered 10 broken ribs and spent 2 months in Rhode Island hospital.
(February 2024) - starting training and lost 43 pounds by May 2024.
(Today) - Ralph has gone from a wheel chair, to two hockey sticks and now to a cane. And...he has lost a total of 80 pounds!

Our Charities

Marziale Foundation 501(c)(3) mission supports children, veterans and athletes across initiatives for food insecurity, mental wellness, mentoring and adaptive sports programs.

Athlete. Driven. Recovery.

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