Grace Connections, Inc.

Someone once said, “Inhale the future, exhale the past!” (author unknown) 

For most of us, there is no thought connected to breathing in and out – we just do.  For Lauren FitzPatrick, it’s something she has to think about literally every moment of her life.  And that is what brings us to this moment…

The FitzPatrick family has shared a journey together that most of us would consider tragic, or at least, tumultuous.  It’s been a rollercoaster with more ups and downs, twists, loops, and free falls than most of us could have endured; and yet, that is what they have done, and with great courage and a LOVE that has held them together through it all.  And now, they face one of the most difficult of those twists as Lauren faces the need for new lungs!

Backstory:

Kevin and Lauren were married in 1988.  They welcomed their first son, Jack, into the world in July 1994, and he was the joy of their hearts. Almost 3 years later, Abigail (Abby) Jo was born  and became the sparkle in their eyes. When Abby was 5 months old, Jack began struggling with serious health issues, and was eventually  diagnosed with Mitochondrial disease (Mito) (https://www.umdf.org/what-is-mitochondrial-disease-2/) ; a diagnosis that would change their lives forever.    The next few years brought more heartache and struggle than anyone should have to endure, culminating the death of their son, Jack, in 2001 at the age of 7. 

In 2003, they found the gift of Seth (their beautiful, adopted son), and immediately knew their family was complete.  However, just  18 months after Seth came home,  Abby began having health issues as well, and was also diagnosed with Mito.  This began her journey with battling this crippling disease.    

For the last 25 years, the Fitzies have battled through the ups and downs of crippling health issues and the emotional, spiritual, and financial drain they bring.  Truly, their story is miraculous and devastating at the same time.  They have been surrounded by family and a community of friends through thick and thin, and for this they could not be more grateful. 

In 2015, Lauren found herself in the hospital with a severe case of pneumonia (there had been a few previous bouts too) which would lead to the discovery of  a much bigger issue, a genetic disorder called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (https://www.alpha1.org/what-is-alpha1/).  This moment brought yet another blow to their family and started a new experience of life for Lauren (on oxygen now for 6 years) culminating in where she finds herself now – the immediate need for a double lung transplant.  Really?  Really!

Duke University in Durham, NC is a top-rated medical facility that has unparalleled success with lung transplantation.  Lauren has been deemed “ready” and in the best possible window for a double lung transplant.  She is scheduled to relocate to Durham on August 1, 2021 to begin the process of receiving the new lungs she so desperately needs.  She will need to live in NC for at least six months (at her own expense) and have 24-hour care through that entire time.  This is certainly overwhelming and seemingly a mountain that may be too large to scale.  BUT GOD!



So, here’s where we come in.

The financial need for this miraculous moment would be a huge blockade for most people; and alone, certainly the FitzPatrick family would be incapable of breaking through it.  But, they are NOT alone, and we can help them get through this.  In order to have all she needs (housing, caregivers, medications, insurance, lost wages, etc.) we estimate the cost to be $50,000.  It’s so much, and yet, when we share the burden, it can be overcome!

Lauren has been a part of the Grace Life/Grace Connections community for 20 years.  For this fundraising effort, all monies contributed will go through the non-profit organization of Grace Connections, Inc and be distributed directly to the Fitzies for their needs through this time.  You can give a little or a lot…give from your heart.  You will receive a tax-deductible receipt for whatever amount you give.  Just click on the “DONATE NOW” button above and follow the prompts.  It’s simple and yet will make a life-changing miracle happen for Lauren.

As Lauren exhales the past (not to deny it, but to look back upon it with gratefulness), she longs for the moment when she can truly inhale the future (it’s not supposed to be work to take a deep breath).  We rally together to see the NEED TO BREATHE campaign fully successful and the FitzPatricks on the road to a new reality of life together.