Lawna's Fight Against PAH and CHF

Upon diagnosis, it was clarified that I had less than 2 years to live IF the medications I am currently taking keep working, and IF my heart doesn't completely fail in the meantime. I had been improving, but over the last week, I have declined drastically, and the team I have right now has put my life expectancy at less than 3 months now. We are beyond devastated!

I want to be able to focus on my health, like everyone expects me to, but I have so much to take care of, for my family... for my community and then for myself.

I have decided to take a different route for my treatment than to get an advocate and it's going to involve an invasive procedure that I may or may not recover from fully but that could put my symptoms and my progression back to a stage II for the next 6 months and maybe longer!

We need some support to be able to not have to worry about what happens next. We have a little bit of savings left in order to take care of baby Z and my husband once I am no longer able to work or am no longer alive but I do not want to take that away from them.

I have a few things in mind about what I will do to give back to the community as a result of being granted the ability to have people support us this way. I have decided that I will do more with our organization The Serenity Project and offer workshops on Communities and Unintentional Ableism. I will also provide resources and consulting for free to those who are struggling within their workplaces and their communities, and I will also offer coaching for free for the rest of the time I am alive in order to be able to say 'thank you' to everyone for supporting my life this way.

We couldn't have done it and won't be able to do it without you. It's very humbling but just remember, we all will be here one day.

The past months have been a harrowing journey of misdiagnoses, health complications, and immense emotional strain. My husband, Ilya, has been a rock, supporting our family while I fight this battle. Unfortunately, our challenges are far from over.

The cost of my treatment is astronomical, with medication alone costing $109,000 annually. Thankfully, this is mostly covered by the government, but the side effects are severe. There are good days where I feel a glimmer of hope, but they are often overshadowed by periods of intense suffering, making me fear for my life.

Your generosity means more than just financial aid; it represents faith in humanity and the power of community.

With your help, we can turn this story of struggle into one of triumph and gratitude.

Together, we can make a difference. Every contribution brings us closer to hope, health, and happiness. Thank you for standing with us.