Hello, my name is John Fowler Laffoon and I’m here for my cousin, Gemma.

Gemma and I grew up together in Middle Tennessee. She is the kind of person who can bring you out of your shell- the kind of person who gets you to reveal a secret at a dinner party, sing karaoke in a talent show, dance at the roller rink, or put on a costume just because it’s Friday. Gemma is a devoted mother and grandmother, a beloved wife, and a sometimes outspoken friend. She will always tell you the truth- even if it’s hard to hear. She brings joy to every person she meets.

But Gemma died last week.

You see, Gemma inherited a very rare heart disease that causes increasingly erratic rhythms. A pacemaker has kept them relatively stable for 13 years and has saved her life many times over, but she now has an atrial standstill (absence of electrical and mechanical activity in the atria), which has created a v-tach storm (a life-threatening syndrome that involves recurrent episodes of ventricular arrhythmias). Even the newly installed pacemaker/ defibrillator can’t keep up with the severe progression of her heart’s malfunction. When it sends out an electrical impulse to reset, the lower portion of her heart is too weak to receive it (the upper portion is completely out of service). The device detects the inactivity and increases the intensity of actual shocks. Imagine being shocked by a Taser every time you go to the bathroom or tie your shoes.

Gemma was shocked 70 times from within her chest. 70 TIMES. Last week, even the shocks didn’t work and she flat-lined. Thankfully, paramedics brought her back after 20 chest compressions and another shock from a defibrillator. She was life-flighted from her home of Franklin, KY to St. Thomas West in Nashville, TN. She has been hospitalized six times since January, but, this time, is unable to go home until she receives a new heart.

Gemma needs a new heart to continue being the most incredible mother to India, Jake, Noah, and especially Levi, who just started his senior year of high school. She needs the heart to continue loving her husband David, and her grand-daughter, Lenora.

To further complicate things, Gemma was in the middle of changing jobs from being a teaching assistant in Kentucky to working for the State of Tennessee. Because of this, her insurance lapsed. Long story short, she is on COBRA insurance until she can start the new job and her benefits kick in.

The average cost of a heart transplant is $1.6M. Most people pay 5-20% of that with insurance or Medicare. Thankfully, Gemma's insurance deductible has been met for this year. If the COBRA payments continue, the heart transplant is covered.

So, why the ask?

If you have ever stayed in the hospital or cared for someone who has, you know the need for someone to be your personal and medical advocate. Gemma’s devoted husband, David, is that person for her. He is a mechanic with FedEx and is out of sick and vacation time. He wants to be there for Gemma, but they are out of time and money.

We are asking for financial help to keep David by Gemma's side, for the 24/7 home care necessary for 6 to 12 weeks after the transplant, the very expensive prescription drugs not covered by insurance (for the rest of her life), senior year expenses for Levi, COBRA insurance payments (*until Gemma can return to work), a home to go home to, and for unforeseen expenses. We are asking for help until Gemma can get through the day on her own.

Your support means everything to us. Every donation makes a difference.

$5 helps with gas for driving between home and hospital.

$25 helps with meals for David in the hospital.

$100 pays for Levi's school.

$1000 will pay for a month of drugs not covered by insurance that Gemma needs for the rest of her life.

$850 pays the monthly COBRA insurance payment.

It goes on and on.

We need your help to give Gemma a heart and a life.

Thank you,

Leah Fowler, Ronda Stanley, and John Laffoon

*The State of TN believes Gemma is the right person for the job and is willing to wait for her. Unbelievable in this day and age. We are so grateful for their empathy and compassion.