#TeamAmanda

Through word of mouth, social media, and lots of prayers, many of you have heard about Amanda and her health these past few days. While she has battled Cystic Fibrosis her whole life, her health recently took a turn for the worse. What initially seemed like exhaustion from exams and a cold turned into pneumonia. Within mere days, her organs began shutting down. She was airlifted to Duke University Hospital on Friday where she has undergone a series of procedures and surgeries.

Fortunately, there is light at the end of the tunnel--the Varnes Family recently received the incredible news that Amanda may be eligible for a lung transplant. Though a new lung will not cure Amanda’s Cystic Fibrosis, it will drastically improve the quality of her life. When I visited with Amanda yesterday and spoke with her mother, she told me: “Amanda won’t realize just how sick she was until she has her lung transplant and sees how much healthier she is with  new lungs.”
While Amanda is eagerly awaiting to be listed as eligible for her transplant, there is no guaranteeing when the much-needed lungs will become available to her. Until this procedure occurs, which may be today or weeks from now, Amanda remains on life support. While she is still as cute and positive as ever--her party-ponytail tied up in a bright scrunchie while "throwing what she knows," the KD sign--she faces a long battle ahead. The reality of this stressful situation is that her family will have to relocate to North Carolina so that Amanda may carry on at Duke on her road to recovery.

When I spoke to Mrs. Varnes about how all of their upcoming expenses were to be covered, she explained that when all is said and done, there will be over one million dollars’ worth of medical expenses. While insurance will cover the majority of that cost, there will be numerous expenses Amanda’s parents must pay for out of pocket. It is for this reason I ask you not only to lift up the Varnes family in prayer, but to show your support of Amanda's journey to a healthy recovery through your donations. A little bit can go a long way! Tshirts are currently being made and will be available for purchase soon. All proceeds of those sales will go to Amanda and her family as well. Whether you donate through Go Fund Me, buy a shirt, or simply share this link with others, you will be making a difference! Financial stress should be the least of this family's worries; YOU can help lighten their already heavy burden as Amanda makes her way to recovery. Donate today!