Tracey Stark's Life Saving Surgery

I come to you, my friendsand family, with a simple request. After you read my story, I hope that you can grant it. My name is Tracey Stark. I am a 56-year-old mother, wife and retired teacher from Myakka City, Florida. I served my country in the Air Force, Air Force Reserve and continued my service in the Civil Air Patrol, organizing and training adults and students to assist their neighbors in times of emergency. I have always put country and family first, so it is difficult for me to now focus on my own needs. At this moment, however, my needs are literally life or death. I have suffered from Common Variable Immunological Disease (CVID) for the past 10 years. It was difficult to diagnose and ultimately forced me to leave my teaching career as I could not fight off a simple cold. The medications to combat this disease are many, and my husband and I have lost our house, our life savings and our most precious personal items to pay for my ongoing treatment. Last month, in addition to this disease, I was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension, a heart/lung condition that will end my life if I do not have a specialized surgery to take the pressure off of my heart. My doctor says that if I do not have the surgery, my life expectancy is two years or less. Sadly, my insurance only pays for a portion of the surgery. I need $3,000 additionally to pay for the procedure that will save my life. When my husband and I were working, that would have been accomplished through a credit card or a loan. Because of our financial situation, we do not have a fraction of this amount and have no means of raising it. Thus, my special request. If you could donate any amount to my GoFundMe account my family has set up, I could have this life-saving surgery. It is difficult for me to ask for money, but this surgery is the only remedy. Please know that every dollar raised will be put directly in the surgery and medical fund and will be used ONLY for these expenses. My husband Gary, my son JP and I thank you for considering this request. May God bless you today and always.