I died four times in the last three years. God didn’t want to take me, so I am here and this is what I am doing with my time.”

Ralph Marziale

Cats are said to have nine lives (though not literally). This myth suggests that cats possess a special ability to survive even the most perilous of situations. Ralph Marziale seems to have a similar superpower, having narrowly escaped death multiple times over the past three years. But he couldn’t have done it alone.

Diagnosed in 2007 with scleroderma, an autoimmune disease that causes a buildup of scar tissue on the skin and in the internal organs, Marziale’s life became a rollercoaster of health challenges. In 2011, he developed pulmonary hypertension and was sent to Rhode Island Hospital to attend a support group for the condition.

However, he only lasted about ten minutes. “I freaked out. I left,” Marziale recalled. He explained what scared him, saying, “They were all on oxygen tanks, and one guy looked like his lung was hanging outside his body; I had to leave. I couldn’t handle it.” This was years before Marziale’s own lungs would collapse.

From April to August of 2020, Marziale’s lungs collapsed multiple times. He was eventually airlifted to a hospital in Philadelphia, where he awaited a double lung transplant while being placed on full life support. An infection nearly disqualified him from remaining on the transplant list.

However, just an hour before the cutoff that would have made him ineligible, a miracle occurred — his infection cleared up. 

The first set of lungs was rejected by the doctors, followed by another set that was also rejected. Finally, the third set was a match, and after a seven-hour surgery, Marziale received his new lungs.

During his time in the hospital, he battled COVID-19, pneumonia, sepsis, and even choked on a blood clot, which led to cardiac arrest and broken ribs. Marziale commented, “It was like a scene right out of a movie. It was unbelievable.”

_{Ralph Marziale lives life by giving back more than he takes after having a double lung transplant.}

Life after death

Marziale spent eight months in the hospital, separated from his wife and children, and has since spent the last three years relearning how to talk and walk. While in the hospital, he could only see his kids on FaceTime but couldn’t speak to them. His dreams were dominated by the sensation of being underwater. “I was underwater, searching for oxygen. All of my dreams were about oxygen,” he described.

On May 31, 2025, Marziale will return to Rhode Island Hospital to that same support group he walked out on 14 years ago, when he was first diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. This time, however, he will be the invited speaker, sharing his journey, his close calls with death, and his commitment to giving back to the world.

Marziale is currently helping the East Bay Food Pantry collect food donations, recognizing the urgent need for people to have access to food. Jocelyn King, the food program manager, emphasized, “We desperately need food.” She shared that just last week they had no pasta to distribute to those visiting the pantry, which shocked Marziale. He responded, saying, “You should have called me.”  

Find out where the food donation boxes are located.

The original end date for the food collection was set for the end of February, but Marziale has extended it through March due to the overwhelming need. Food donation boxes have been set up at various locations throughout Rhode Island, complete with a barcode for scanning donations and an online option.   

This is just one way Marziale is giving back. He is also organizing his second annual Ralph Marziale Golf Tournament on May 12 and is scheduled to speak at Smithfield High School, Bishop Hendricken High School, and the pulmonary support group at Rhode Island Hospital. When asked why he’s doing all of this, Marziale said, “I died four times in the last three years. God didn’t want to take me, so I’m here, and this is what I’m doing with my time.” 

Marziale was only able to be on a lung transplant waiting list because of the support he had with his family and friends, as it is a criteria that needs to be met in order to be on the list. He explained, “You even need letters from people to document that you will have support after the surgery.”

Post-surgery, Marziale has continued to receive support from his family and friends, and in his efforts to give back, he has also found support from Todd Prentiss, who has driven Marziale’s efforts to make a difference in the community by donating his time to creating a website for the Marziale Foundation. Marziale joked, “I’m good at talking to people for the Marziale Foundation, and Todd is great with the tech side of things.” 

At one point, Marziale turned away from a support group, but now he has embraced support and even become a source of support for others. In a recent phone call, his doctor asked him to speak to another patient who is currently struggling with fears about needing a lung transplant. 

Editor’s note: To find information on how to donate food to the East Bay Food Pantry via the Marziale Foundation, check out the website, and for more information about the upcoming golf tournament visit the events section of the website.