This is my sister, Karen DeJong, and she’s my hero. Karen has lived most of her life with severe asthma and tracheobronchomalacia, conditions that make something as simple as breathing a daily challenge. Over the years, the treatments needed to keep her stable have brought their own complications—sometimes as tough as the conditions themselves.

Despite all of this, Karen shows up for life with strength and grace. Most people who meet her would never guess the battles she faces. She has a long list of “normal” stories that really aren’t normal at all—like getting a spinal tap and then going straight to work, or going in for a procedure and pushing forward as if nothing happened. I tell her to rest, but honestly, if she rested as much as her body probably needs, she’d never get to live the life she loves. So she keeps going, one challenge at a time.

Right now, she’s facing one of her hardest chapters yet. She recently underwent a heart ablation, and in early December she will travel to New York/New Jersey for a robot-assisted tracheobronchoplasty to help correct her collapsing airway. During this surgery, doctors will place a mesh around her windpipe to intentionally trigger scar tissue growth. The goal is that the newly formed scar tissue will strengthen her airway and prevent future collapse.

Her recovery will be long—3 to 6 weeks in New Jersey, followed by additional recovery once she’s back home in Florida. While she’s there, both she and Jeremy will need to take leave without pay. With the high cost of lodging, food, transportation, and medical copays in the New York area, the total out-of-pocket cost is expected to be around $10,000.

I’m setting up this fundraiser for anyone who feels led to help ease the financial burden during this difficult time. Every donation—big or small—will go directly toward Karen’s living expenses and medical needs while she recovers.

Thank you for taking the time to read her story, and thank you for supporting my sister as she fights for a healthier, more stable future.