Daniel Sharkey is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 610 and in the past has participated actively as an Usher/Greeter at Mass and at Knights of Columbus events. Daniel Sharkey suffers from diabetes and related complications that have limited his activities and mobility in recent years. He suffers from ministrokes as well. In 2020 he had to have part of his foot amputated, requiring him to use a wheelchair. Many parishioners have been praying for him, and some donated in 2020 to his wheelchair ramp.
Update 3/4/23: Daniel has been admitted to Memorial Hospital and is not doing well. He had surgery earlier this week and it went well. But now he is incoherent and has a major infection from the catheter. Please pray for Daniel and his medical team.
Thank You for Helping Provide a Bed
Update 3/4/23: The Knights have been able to provide a bed for Daniel! Thanks to everyone who donated.
Update 10/10/22: One of Daniel's greatest struggles, among his many health problems, is the inability to sleep, which is complicated by not having a suitable bed to accommodate him in his condition. The Knights of Columbus Council 610 are raising funds to provide a suitable bed to allow Daniel to get the rest he needs. If you would like to help Daniel in a very concrete way, this is a great opportunity.
Update 7/17/22: Daniel is now legally blind due to increased pressure in both eyes. He is also unstable and has fallen a couple of times. Thanks to everyone who is praying for Daniel.
REQUEST: If anyone is willing to visit with Daniel and read with him, would be a great gift to him right now. It could be Bible verses or the newspaper, anything to engage him and keep him occupied.
Update 6/6/22: Daniel's diabetes has progressed. Most recently, he has lost the vision in both his eyes. He is depressed. Daniel will be having another eye surgery on June 22. Please pray for Daniel in his suffering.
Update 1/29/22: Daniel's blood sugar was restored and he was able to return home from the hospital on Friday.
Update 1/27/22: Earlier this week, Daniel was released to return home from the hospital, after his blood sugar got back up in the 100's. But as of today, he is back in the ER with blood sugar of 24. Please continue to pray.
Update 1/25/22: Daniel Sharkey went into a diabetic coma at home and has been taken to the ER at Memorial Northpark. The doctors are working to stabilize him. He received the Anointing of the Sick tonight. Please pray for Daniel.
Update 1/22/22: On Jan. 7, 2022, Daniel suffered a seizure and fell and fractured his neck. After two hospitalizations, he is now back at home. Please pray for him. He continues to suffer seizures, sores, and difficulty sleeping, and the doctors are revising his treament plan. Please pray for Daniel and his mother Geraldine, who is caring for his health at home.
Update 10/29/21: The Knights of Columbus are helping to update Daniel's wheelchair ramp so that he can get in and out of the house. Meanwhile, Daniel is now in Phase 2 kidney failure.
Update 9/16/21: Daniel's vision is getting worse, and he currently has some sores on his hands. He is seeing some specialists for several health problems. Also, his wheelchair ramp is in need of repair in order to be functional.
Daniel Sharkey began attending Mass in person on July 11, 2021 for the first time in over two years! He is happy to see many friends at the Basilica again.
The swelling in his legs has gone down enough and his wounds have healed enough for him to be able to attend Mass. His wounds haven't been healing well due to diabetes. The swelling and wounds were preventing him from attending Mass before the pandemic even started. He has been on the Knights of Columbus 610 prayer list for over two years, and the Knights have been praying for him through the intercession of Father Patrick Ryan.
Daniel's doctors have told him that he needs to be living his life the best he can because his many diagnoses are incurable.
Supporting Daniel
Daniel is grateful for the prayers of the Basilica community. He would welcome phone calls and visits.
Request: If anyone is willing to visit with Daniel and read with him, would be a great gift to him right now. It could be Bible verses or the newspaper, anything to engage him and keep him occupied.
Contact Daniel Sharkey at: 423-877-3239 (home) or on his new cell phone: 423-661-4365