Maria Lombardo. who is the sister of previous RSMGC recipient, Frankie Pozza,  had worked in the trade show industry for more than 12 years with both Nth Degree and Czarnowski.     Maria was forced to leave her most recent position with Nth Degree in 2013 when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 COPD which leaves her with only 28% lung capacity.

While waiting to be put on a double transplant list, Maria is interested to take advantage of a less invasive new procedure called Stem Cell Therapy at the Lung Institute in Pittsburgh, PA.    Because medical insurance does not cover this therapy, Maria would incur significant out-of-pocket expense.  She is hopeful to be able to take advantage of this therapy because it promises to extend her life expectancy 3 to 5 years.