Maggie's Miracle: Transplant Fund
Donation protected
My name is Maggie and I am 25 years old living with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a chronic lung disease. As many of you already know, my lungs are now so damaged from years of infection that my only hope for survival is to receive a double-lung transplant.
In 2012, I moved to California so I could be treated at Stanford Hospital. It is one of the most highly regarded hospitals in the country both for CF and for Lung Transplantation. On October 16th, 2013 I was placed on the official transplant list, and am now waiting for lungs to become available. This could happen at any time, day or night, and I will receive a phone call when the time comes.
One of the requirements made by Stanford is that once the transplant surgery has been carried out, I must live within 30 minutes of the hospital for the first 3 to 4 months. I must also nominate 2 full-time caregivers to take care of me as I recover during this time. These roles will be fulfilled by my husband, Tom, and my mother, Kerry. My father, Ed, will also fly out to be with me for the first week or so, but will sadly need to return to Chicago for work.
We will all need to relocate temporarily to the Stanford area immediately after surgery. A double-lung transplant can cost up to $1 million. Thankfully, the medical costs will be covered by Tom's insurance. However, accommodations in Silicon Valley are ridiculously expensive due to the tech industry presence. We will be required to rent short-term furnished accommodations while continuing to pay for our primary residences. Even a studio apartment costs around $4,000 a month and we will need two apartments. My parents will require last-minute flights from Chicago and a rental car for the entire time they are here, while also incurring lost earnings from having to take time off work.
Our foundation, Maggie's Miracle Makers, has raised a great deal of money over the years, with all proceeds donated to CF-related charities and organizations. Now, we would really appreciate some help closer to home.
I've created this transplant fund so that those who need to take care of me at a difficult time can focus on what is important, without having to worry about the finances.
Any donation is very gratefully received, thank you!
To receive updates on my progress and to be notified when "the call" finally comes, please subscribe to my blog at Maggie's Miracle.
In 2012, I moved to California so I could be treated at Stanford Hospital. It is one of the most highly regarded hospitals in the country both for CF and for Lung Transplantation. On October 16th, 2013 I was placed on the official transplant list, and am now waiting for lungs to become available. This could happen at any time, day or night, and I will receive a phone call when the time comes.
One of the requirements made by Stanford is that once the transplant surgery has been carried out, I must live within 30 minutes of the hospital for the first 3 to 4 months. I must also nominate 2 full-time caregivers to take care of me as I recover during this time. These roles will be fulfilled by my husband, Tom, and my mother, Kerry. My father, Ed, will also fly out to be with me for the first week or so, but will sadly need to return to Chicago for work.
We will all need to relocate temporarily to the Stanford area immediately after surgery. A double-lung transplant can cost up to $1 million. Thankfully, the medical costs will be covered by Tom's insurance. However, accommodations in Silicon Valley are ridiculously expensive due to the tech industry presence. We will be required to rent short-term furnished accommodations while continuing to pay for our primary residences. Even a studio apartment costs around $4,000 a month and we will need two apartments. My parents will require last-minute flights from Chicago and a rental car for the entire time they are here, while also incurring lost earnings from having to take time off work.
Our foundation, Maggie's Miracle Makers, has raised a great deal of money over the years, with all proceeds donated to CF-related charities and organizations. Now, we would really appreciate some help closer to home.
I've created this transplant fund so that those who need to take care of me at a difficult time can focus on what is important, without having to worry about the finances.
Any donation is very gratefully received, thank you!
To receive updates on my progress and to be notified when "the call" finally comes, please subscribe to my blog at Maggie's Miracle.
Organizer
Maggie Williamson
Organizer
Redwood City, CA
