Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Mahwah, NJ.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Mahwah, NJ, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Mahwah, NJ, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
866-793-9933
Matt Wilson, known by others for his humor and positive energy, is the recipient of a fundraiser that has raised $60,000 in just six days.|Updated Thu, Mar 16, 2023 at 5:19 pm ETMAHWAH, NJ — Essential to a strong community is a responsibility to help others who are struggling, and Bergen County has proved, again and again, it meets the definition.A response, nay an "outpouring of love and support" for local teacher and coach Matt Wilson, who suffered a serious medical emergency about a week ago, has bee...
|Updated Thu, Mar 16, 2023 at 5:19 pm ET
MAHWAH, NJ — Essential to a strong community is a responsibility to help others who are struggling, and Bergen County has proved, again and again, it meets the definition.
A response, nay an "outpouring of love and support" for local teacher and coach Matt Wilson, who suffered a serious medical emergency about a week ago, has been absolutely beautiful, said Kasey Kelly, an organizer of a fundraiser that has raised more than $60,000 in just six days.
"It gives me chills — the way in which Bergen County has stepped up for one of our own," Kelly said. "It feels like something out of a movie how quickly this cause spread and gained traction. It makes you proud to be part of such an empathetic community."
Wilson, a Mahwah youth sports coach and Ramsey public school teacher, is "known and beloved by students for his humor, infectious personality, easygoing nature, and all-around positive energy," the GoFundMe page said of him.
The husband and father of two recently suffered a medical emergency, the effects of which are still unknown at this time, the fundraiser said.
He and his wife Suzanne Wilson are colleagues of fundraiser organizers Kelly and Russell Martone, who have worked with them for several years at Eric S. Smith Middle School. Matt Wilson teaches science at Smith, and coaches boys lacrosse and is involved with youth football in Mahwah.
"Matt and Suzanne are always the first people to jump up to help anyone in need, so now that they've found themselves in a difficult situation, we wanted a chance to give back to them," Kelly said.
She said that she and Martone organized the fundraiser as a way to ensure the family could focus on his health and recovery without financial concerns weighing so heavily.
"Matt's family (is) at the hospital round the clock providing support, comfort and prayers to get him through this time," the fundraiser said. "This is sure to be a long, arduous road for the family, and they are in need of our friendship now more than ever."
In addition, another Ramsey teacher, Melissa Garcia, set up a popcorn sale with her students, and partnered with CYCLEBAR in Montvale to sponsor a charity ride on March 25, each with proceeds going to the GoFundMe.
Parents are also organizing collections of gift cards and letters from Wilson's students.
"Please consider contributing in an effort to help offset the costs of their medical bills, childcare, home, food, and any additional expenses that may arise," the fundraiser said.
"Our love and prayers are with Matt, and we hope to help support the Wilson family in any way we can."
Matt Wilson, known by others for his humor and positive energy, is the recipient of a fundraiser that has raised $60,000 in just six days.|Updated Thu, Mar 16, 2023 at 5:19 pm ETMAHWAH, NJ — Essential to a strong community is a responsibility to help others who are struggling, and Bergen County has proved, again and again, it meets the definition.A response, nay an "outpouring of love and support" for local teacher and coach Matt Wilson, who suffered a serious medical emergency about a week ago, has bee...
|Updated Thu, Mar 16, 2023 at 5:19 pm ET
MAHWAH, NJ — Essential to a strong community is a responsibility to help others who are struggling, and Bergen County has proved, again and again, it meets the definition.
A response, nay an "outpouring of love and support" for local teacher and coach Matt Wilson, who suffered a serious medical emergency about a week ago, has been absolutely beautiful, said Kasey Kelly, an organizer of a fundraiser that has raised more than $60,000 in just six days.
"It gives me chills — the way in which Bergen County has stepped up for one of our own," Kelly said. "It feels like something out of a movie how quickly this cause spread and gained traction. It makes you proud to be part of such an empathetic community."
Wilson, a Mahwah youth sports coach and Ramsey public school teacher, is "known and beloved by students for his humor, infectious personality, easygoing nature, and all-around positive energy," the GoFundMe page said of him.
The husband and father of two recently suffered a medical emergency, the effects of which are still unknown at this time, the fundraiser said.
He and his wife Suzanne Wilson are colleagues of fundraiser organizers Kelly and Russell Martone, who have worked with them for several years at Eric S. Smith Middle School. Matt Wilson teaches science at Smith, and coaches boys lacrosse and is involved with youth football in Mahwah.
"Matt and Suzanne are always the first people to jump up to help anyone in need, so now that they've found themselves in a difficult situation, we wanted a chance to give back to them," Kelly said.
She said that she and Martone organized the fundraiser as a way to ensure the family could focus on his health and recovery without financial concerns weighing so heavily.
"Matt's family (is) at the hospital round the clock providing support, comfort and prayers to get him through this time," the fundraiser said. "This is sure to be a long, arduous road for the family, and they are in need of our friendship now more than ever."
In addition, another Ramsey teacher, Melissa Garcia, set up a popcorn sale with her students, and partnered with CYCLEBAR in Montvale to sponsor a charity ride on March 25, each with proceeds going to the GoFundMe.
Parents are also organizing collections of gift cards and letters from Wilson's students.
"Please consider contributing in an effort to help offset the costs of their medical bills, childcare, home, food, and any additional expenses that may arise," the fundraiser said.
"Our love and prayers are with Matt, and we hope to help support the Wilson family in any way we can."
MAHWAH, NJ — A Mahwah artist is helping people with special needs showcase their work at local charity auctions.Suzanne Lippe has volunteered her local studio, supplies and skills to teens and adults with developmental disabilities, and helps some of those she mentors get their work appreciated at fundraising events, specifically those for the Friendship Circle of Suffern.In fact, Lippe, just this month, coordinated a fundraising sale for Friendship at Rising Above Bakery in New York — the location of another sale o...
MAHWAH, NJ — A Mahwah artist is helping people with special needs showcase their work at local charity auctions.
Suzanne Lippe has volunteered her local studio, supplies and skills to teens and adults with developmental disabilities, and helps some of those she mentors get their work appreciated at fundraising events, specifically those for the Friendship Circle of Suffern.
In fact, Lippe, just this month, coordinated a fundraising sale for Friendship at Rising Above Bakery in New York — the location of another sale organized last year by the nonprofit. The 2022 sale featured work from a Friendship painting contest in the town of Ramapo, where Suffern is incorporated.
Lippe, a professional illustrator, will continue her relationship with Friendship — which provides support to special needs children — by helping other nonprofit volunteers organize yet another fundraising auction in June. Friendship is a program of the Chabad Jewish Center of Suffern, of which the Mahwah artist is a member.
Her whole family has been familiar with the program for more than eight years, and she said that working with people with disabilities, helping them to make art and being involved with the community at large makes her very happy.
"Watching kids smile when they finish a painting they are pleased with, it's the best feeling..." Suzanne Lippe said, "knowing they took an idea in their imagination and turned it into something tangible to be shared with others."
Lippe's daughter Paige — a behavioral specialist in Cresskill — said she wonders if her mother's work is a way of continuing her late father's legacy of caring for others.
Suzanne's husband and Paige's father, Michael Lippe, died in a private plane crash in 2010; the family was very involved with Valley Chabad in Woodcliffe Lake before his death.
"Both my mother and father taught me that helping others is one of the most important things a person can do in life," Paige Lippe said. "She instilled values in me that no doubt shaped my interest in psychology and behavior analysis."
Suzanne Lippe's studio, located in her Mahwah carriage house, is open to youth and adults alike, regardless of ability. As an artist, her daughter said, Lippe finds any opportunity to create and to help others create.
"My mother deserves recognition," Paige Lippe said. "She's been through a lot but still brings joy into others' lives.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
MAHWAH, NJ — A Mahwah artist is helping people with special needs showcase their work at local charity auctions.Suzanne Lippe has volunteered her local studio, supplies and skills to teens and adults with developmental disabilities, and helps some of those she mentors get their work appreciated at fundraising events, specifically those for the Friendship Circle of Suffern.In fact, Lippe, just this month, coordinated a fundraising sale for Friendship at Rising Above Bakery in New York — the location of another sale o...
MAHWAH, NJ — A Mahwah artist is helping people with special needs showcase their work at local charity auctions.
Suzanne Lippe has volunteered her local studio, supplies and skills to teens and adults with developmental disabilities, and helps some of those she mentors get their work appreciated at fundraising events, specifically those for the Friendship Circle of Suffern.
In fact, Lippe, just this month, coordinated a fundraising sale for Friendship at Rising Above Bakery in New York — the location of another sale organized last year by the nonprofit. The 2022 sale featured work from a Friendship painting contest in the town of Ramapo, where Suffern is incorporated.
Lippe, a professional illustrator, will continue her relationship with Friendship — which provides support to special needs children — by helping other nonprofit volunteers organize yet another fundraising auction in June. Friendship is a program of the Chabad Jewish Center of Suffern, of which the Mahwah artist is a member.
Her whole family has been familiar with the program for more than eight years, and she said that working with people with disabilities, helping them to make art and being involved with the community at large makes her very happy.
"Watching kids smile when they finish a painting they are pleased with, it's the best feeling..." Suzanne Lippe said, "knowing they took an idea in their imagination and turned it into something tangible to be shared with others."
Lippe's daughter Paige — a behavioral specialist in Cresskill — said she wonders if her mother's work is a way of continuing her late father's legacy of caring for others.
Suzanne's husband and Paige's father, Michael Lippe, died in a private plane crash in 2010; the family was very involved with Valley Chabad in Woodcliffe Lake before his death.
"Both my mother and father taught me that helping others is one of the most important things a person can do in life," Paige Lippe said. "She instilled values in me that no doubt shaped my interest in psychology and behavior analysis."
Suzanne Lippe's studio, located in her Mahwah carriage house, is open to youth and adults alike, regardless of ability. As an artist, her daughter said, Lippe finds any opportunity to create and to help others create.
"My mother deserves recognition," Paige Lippe said. "She's been through a lot but still brings joy into others' lives.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
MAHWAH, N.J. - Nothing prepares a parent for the loss of a child, and George and Debra Kayal know that all too well.In 2019, they tragically lost their son Marcus to sudden cardiac arrest. Now, they're making sure his name won't ever be forgotten."You have to be vigilant and find ways to keep his memory memorialized. We feel like his name is staying out there and people who didn't know him, now can hear 'Marcus Kayal, Marcus Kayal, Marcus Kayal.' He must've been a special kid. He was amazing. He was beyond...
MAHWAH, N.J. - Nothing prepares a parent for the loss of a child, and George and Debra Kayal know that all too well.
In 2019, they tragically lost their son Marcus to sudden cardiac arrest. Now, they're making sure his name won't ever be forgotten.
"You have to be vigilant and find ways to keep his memory memorialized. We feel like his name is staying out there and people who didn't know him, now can hear 'Marcus Kayal, Marcus Kayal, Marcus Kayal.' He must've been a special kid. He was amazing. He was beyond special," said Marcus' father George Kayal.
The youngest of five boys, Marcus was a superstar soccer player, a stellar student, and a world class brother and son.
"Very easygoing, just kind of a happy-go-lucky type of kid, with the level of soccer he played. He played internationally in Europe. He experienced so much life in his 16 years. That, at least, is something we can be at peace knowing, that he lived in amazing beautiful life while he was here," said Marcus' mother Deborah Kayal.
On the night of December 26, 2019, the Kayals' lives changed forever.
"We had a wonderful Christmas. It was kind of unbelievable. We spent all of our time together with our family," George said.
At about 8 p.m., the five brothers went down the street to their grandparents' house to be with their cousins.
"We got a phone call at about midnight from one of my sons that Marcus had passed out. They said he just stood up out of his chair and he just collapsed," George said.
They administered CPR right away and Marcus was rushed to Valley Hospital.
"We were there for hours, and he just wasn't recovering. They couldn't get a heartbeat to come back. And we just couldn't believe it. Our minds were like 'This is a nightmare. This is a bad dream. What could possibly have happened? Like, this is not happening.' And they said 'We're sorry,'" George said, becoming emotional. "Luckily my sons were there, my niece, my nephews were there. We just hugged him, and kissed him, and told him how much we loved him, and we kissed him and we said, thankfully, we said we need an autopsy, because we don't know what's going on," George said.
"We needed answers, because it was such a shock," Deborah said.
"We needed to find out what happened," George said.
Marcus passed on December 27, 2019. Late the next morning, the autopsy revealed a two-inch scar on the posterior wall of his left ventricle, which could've caused the sudden cardiac death, but no one knew for sure.
"Did anybody ever call you with a definitive this is what it was?" CBS2's Chris Wragge asked.
"We finally got the genetic testing, and they said that they found that Marcus had a gene," George said.
"Everyone has the PPA2 gene, but he had a pathogenic variant," Deborah said.
It was a genetic anomaly that exists in both mom and dad.
"Marcus ended up having both of them," George said. "Everyone has genes that are not designed properly. But if you have a specific combination, then it can create any number of different diseases," George said.
To honor Marcus's legacy, the Kayals created Hearts4Marcus. Through the charity, over 120 Mahwah High School kids will be screened with EKGs and echocardiograms that are optional, and confidential.
"This is what we need to do. This is what Marcus would want us to do," George said.
Everywhere you look in the Kayal home, you can feel Marcus' presence - from his room, still untouched, to his image, visible from every corner.
"Every Christmas card still includes his face. I'm not sending one if I can't include my five sons. So we have five sons. One lives in heaven, but we have five sons," Deborah said.
For more information about Hearts4Marcus or the Marcus Kayal Legacy4Life, CLICK HERE.
To sign up to have Chris Wragge visit your school, CLICK HERE.
Chris Wragge co-anchors CBS2 News This Morning and CBS2 News At Noon with Mary Calvi.
