Conquering Kilimanjaro: A Journey with Joseph
Grief is a mountain unlike any other — steep, unpredictable, and often shrouded in silence. For Evan and Marie Pucillo, that mountain began on February 9, 2021 — the day they met and lost their son, Joseph Angelo.
Joseph was born prematurely and lived for only a few hours. That same night, Evan nearly lost his wife, Marie, as she underwent emergency surgery following a traumatic hemorrhage. Though doctors were able to save her life, the emotional wounds cut deep, and the journey forward was anything but clear.
In the years since, Evan and Marie have taken life one step at a time, raising their two living children — Elena Rose (7) and Giovanni (2) — while carrying the memory of Joseph in every heartbeat. Through the pain, they’ve discovered that healing isn't linear. It takes shape in the stories we share, the connections we foster, and the mountains we dare to climb.
A Mountain Worth Climbing
Now, nearly five years later, Evan and Marie are preparing to climb a different kind of mountain — Mount Kilimanjaro.
At 19,341 feet above sea level, Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. It’s a fitting metaphor for the path of grief Evan and Marie have walked: daunting, exhausting, yet navigated with courage and determination.
In February, 2026 — what would have been Joseph’s 5th birthday — The couple will begin a 7-day ascent to the summit in honor of their son.
This climb isn’t just about the physical challenge. It’s about presence. Memory. Love. It's a way of saying: We remember you, Joseph. And we carry you with us — always.
Why RTZ HOPE
In the darkest hours after Joseph’s passing, Marie found solace and support through RTZ HOPE — an organization dedicated to helping families survive the unimaginable loss of a child. During a time when the world felt especially isolated due to the pandemic, RTZ provided a space for connection, compassion, and healing.
Now, Evan and Marie want to give back.
They’ve launched “Conquering Kilimanjaro: A Journey with Joseph” — a fundraising campaign benefiting RTZ Hope. Through this campaign, they hope to raise awareness and funds so that other families navigating similar heartbreak will have access to the same care, support, and community that carried them through.
How You Can Help
You can support Evan and Marie’s climb — and Joseph’s memory — by donating to RTZ HOPE in honor of each mile they hike (approximately 42 miles in total). Whether it’s $1, $5, or $10 per mile, or a one-time gift of any amount, every donation brings them one step closer to their $10,000 goal.
Your support doesn’t just honor Joseph — it offers hope, healing, and resources to families navigating the most heartbreaking loss imaginable.
Join the Journey
This isn’t just a climb. It’s a story of resilience, remembrance, and love. It’s about finding purpose in pain, strength in sorrow, and hope on the horizon.
Join Evan, Marie, and their community as they take each step up Kilimanjaro — for Joseph, for healing, and for the many families who still need to know they’re not alone.