Marcena Lozano was born on 2-7-1980 at Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, NY. It became immediately apparent, as this beautiful pink baby turned a dusky blue, that something was seriously wrong. Marcena’s condition was quickly diagnosed as transposition of the great arteries (TGA), where the aorta and pulmonary artery are reversed; and hours after her birth she had the first, of what would eventually become, many life saving procedures.
At the age of 13, Marcena was told that she needed a heart transplant. At the the age of 23 she was told that she needed another. Tragically, Marcena received her angel wings on 8-31-2005, leaving behind a host of family and friends who miss her immensely. She faced numerous surgeries, hospitalizations and illness in her lifetime, but she continued to beat the odds and amaze her physicians. She was focused on completing her degree and becoming a social worker to use her wisdom to help adolescents facing life-threatening illness. Marcena may have physically left us, but her amazing spirit lives on in every life she touched and none of us can forget her brilliant smile and infectious laughter. She attacked each day with an energy that her weakened body could barely keep up with. The more life threw at her, the deeper she dug to find the strength, courage and determination to survive. It is this spirit that we remember, honor and happily share with you. Click here to see Marcena's Journey
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
~ Winston Churchill
To the WNY Community,
Thank you for giving so generously to support The 4th Annual Elephant Run benefiting The Marcena Lozano Donate Life Scholarship Fund! You made this another memorable, though chilly, Mother's Day morning for all in attendance. Once again, the warm hearted people of Buffalo and WNY showed that a few May snowflakes would not dampen their spirits or keep them away from supporting such deserving young students! The scholarship fund has awarded nearly $40,000 to college bound organ transplant recipients in its first 3 years. Without the kindness of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, runners and walkers none of this could be possible.
We'd greatly appreciate your feedback so The Elephant Run can continue to grow more successful each year. Tell all your family and friends to mark their calendars for next year’s 5th Annual Elephant Run, Mother's Day 2011!
Buffalo Professional Firefighters Association
