A NEW HEART FOR RON ZEPPA

A NEW HEART FOR RON ZEPPA      Hello, my name is Cindy Beauchamp. I am from Sault Ste. Marie and I'd like you to meet my friends, Ron and Sue Zeppa, a married couple of 36 years with family residing here in Sault Ste. Marie. Ron is a retired member of Local 2251 USWA and Sue is a retired Sears retail worker.      Ron was an avid enthusiast of the outdoors and spent many years building strong relationships through his hunting, fishing and boating adventures.      Unfortunately, during one of his deer hunting excursions, back in November 2009, Ron suffered a potentially fatal heart attack. If not for the quick response of his nephew Marty and friend Perry, Mathew's Memorial Hospital, SAH, Ornge and Health Sciences North, Ron's outcome would have been less than grim.      Since this incident, Ron has made numerous trips to Sudbury/Toronto for regular appointments, stent replacements, ablation surgery and emergency situations of which he has been flown by Ornge.      In an attempt to maintain what is left of his extensively damaged heart(19% function rate), in 2010 Ron had a surgical implantation of an LVAD(ventricular assist device), to replace the function of his failing heart.      While we are grateful for Ron's extension of life through the LVAD and the dedicated, knowledgeable  team of cardiac specialists, this procedure was a "Hail Mary" and has now exhausted it's medical viability.      Ron was registered at the Peter Munk Cardiac Center in Toronto in 2016 to begin his journey of a heart transplantation. He has since attended the Center every two months for ongoing medical appointments and monitoring  and during his last appointment was advised that the next step for him was the transplant process.      This medical endeavor requires Ron and Sue to relocate to Toronto post surgery. Now that Ron is on the transplant list, they must attend the hospital within two hours of donor heart availability and must reside in close proximity of the hospital for three to six months thereafter.      This is a welcome journey.... and  it gives Ron a new lease on life! However it comes with insurmountable stress both mentally and financially.      Ron was forced to take retirement before he had anticipated and Sue was among thousands of Sears workers, who after 38 years, had their pensions reduced 20% and is part of a class action law suit to garner her severance pay.      At home, in Sault Ste. Marie, they have managed financially, but this medical endeavor will certainly present a challenge. There is currently no funding/housing assistance available to heart transplant patients. It is incumbent upon them to pursue and acquire housing/hotel accommodations and all the amenities required for Toronto living.      Sue will need to be in Toronto with Ron pre and post surgery to care for his medical, personal and daily living needs.This means maintenance of their home in Sault Ste. Marie and living expenses in Toronto. On top of this financial burden, medications for the transplant process can range from $2,000 to $5,000 per month. Application is being made to the Trillium Drug Program to help defray these costs, pending acceptance.      This couple have always opened their hearts and home to friends and family.... the food is amazing....the company is the finest....and their love is endless. I could think of no one as deserving as Ron(and Sue) to procure a new lease on life....with a NEW HEART....and a little less stress.      If you could support my GOFUNDME by making a donation and then please share it, I would greatly appreciate it. I know that money can be tight, so please know that even $5 helps get me closer to my goal. All money raised will go to Ron and Sue to help them while in Toronto.       Thank you and please share this.