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For the LOVE of Rhonda

RHONDA LEWIS is my BFF! This page is created in her honor for the purpose of raising awareness about organ transplantation and to seek the kindness of others in the form of well wishes and financial contributions.

Rhonda has been battling lung disease her entire life. She has Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic, incurable disease that affects the lungs, digestive system, as well as many other organs in advanced stages. Rhonda's lung capacity has now been diminished by more than 75%. Think about that for a moment... take a deep breath; now exhale…Good job. Rhonda has never really known what a good, deep breath feels like and now her breathing is at the point that it is shallow, restricted, painful, and nearly impossible. She is on continuous oxygen 24 hours a day to help her breathe in and out; something most of us take for granted.

For much of her life Rhonda was able to live an active, normal life - taking in stride bouts of pneumonia, digestive problems, and breathing difficulties as if it was “no big deal”, avoiding being hospitalized often. Her doctors feel that it was her active lifestyle that kept her ahead of the Cystic Fibrosis monster that has chased her all her life. She was a certified scuba diver, hiked, sky-dived, loved gardening, antiquing, swimming, and never believed there was anything that she couldn’t do - so she did it. Her kids are her life and she loved supporting their endeavors in sports, college and military service.

The past few years have been beyond difficult for Rhonda. A car accident that left her with back and shoulder problems brought her active lifestyle to a halt and the disease was able to catch up with her, spiraling her health downward. Despite all attempts at rebounding, her health has continued to decline rapidly. She has spent much of the past few months in the hospital or being home on up to 5 IV infusions that she administers to herself daily through a PICC line; as well as enduring up to 6 daily breathing treatments, percussion treatments to loosen mucus in her chest, plus a handful of expensive pills to stay alive.

Rhonda's life expectancy is nearing the end unless .... UNLESS.... she is a recipient of a Double Lung Transplant SOON. The lung transplant team at University of Virginia Medical Center has her on the fast track to be listed for transplant by the end of this month. With that, the past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity for evaluation of the double lung transplant surgery -many, many medical tests, procedures, surgery, and trips to the hospital have left Rhonda exhausted - but she is not a quitter. If you know Rhonda, you know how strong she is - and she will NEED to be strong to go through such a major and difficult surgery. As the UVA doctors explained to her, her surgery will be more challenging than most because her right lung is virtually gone; and pieces of it have adhered to her chest wall. Those pieces will have to be chiseled away during surgery before new, life-saving lungs can be put in place. The surgery is grueling and the recovery is no cake walk, requiring intense rehabilitation and care, an average of six months off work, and medication for the rest of her life to prevent rejection.

One of the final hurdles is the financial commitment. It was devastating to hear that the one thing standing between her and her eligibility to be listed as a transplant recipient to receive the lungs she desperately needs is FINANCES! Yes, Rhonda has health insurance. She continues to be employed full time at a job she is able to do from her home and her employer has been very compassionate about her situation; reducing her workload and allowing her to maintain her most precious medical insurance…However, even good insurance doesn’t cover everything! The average cost of just a double lung transplant is $800,000.00. The estimated out of pocket costs for the transplant itself, testing, travel, caretakers, medicines, rehabilitation, time off from work, plus a 3 month stay at an apartment near the hospital for post transplant rehabilitation will cost in excess of thirty-five thousand dollars! Rhonda has worked hard her entire life; nonetheless, her medical condition has depleted any and all savings she has ever had. Her family is doing everything they can to help support her in every way possible too, as she will need a team of caretakers for the time before and post-transplant.

She is the most deserving person I have ever known. She is usually the giver, giving of herself to anyone in need…now she is in need. I would greatly appreciate your donation and support of Rhonda. I have selected the Go Fund Me program because of it's efficiency and proven track record. Remember what I said at the beginning of this message??? I said, Rhonda is my BFF. I bet you have a BFF of your own. If you do, and you knew they needed SO much money so quickly to save their life, I bet you would create a GoFundMe campaign for them as well, wouldn‘t you???

My daily prayer is the generosity and sympathy from you all will flow as you are inspired by Rhonda's story. Rhonda has done everything in her power to begin this journey to receiving a transplant… Please, please take a moment and give anything you can to this campaign and continue to share her story with YOUR friends.

Rhonda is a wonderful mom, a sister, a friend, and so much more. My name is Cynthia, and my BFF is Rhonda Lewis; and I will be making the first donation to this campaign. For the Love of Rhonda, PLEASE join me. May the perfect Will of our Lord and Savior be done in the life of Rhonda Lewis. Thank you…and if you are not already an organ transplant donor, please consider the gift of life by becoming one today.

You can donate online HERE or if you are in the Roanoke, Virginia area you can go into any Wells Fargo location and ask to donate to RHONDA F LEWIS DOUBLE LUNG DONATION FUND.....or you can mail a check to:

         RHONDA F LEWIS DOUBLE LUNG DONATION FUND
          c/o Wells Fargo Bank
          4206 Electric Road
          Roanoke, Virginia  24018
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Donations 

  • Fine Han
    • $25 
    • 8 yrs
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Organizer

Erica Horseman
Organizer
Cave Spring, VA

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