When I was getting to know Cassidy 6 years ago, she invited me to see The Office: The Musical with her, and I knew she would be one of my best friends for life. I mean, who would want to see a satirical spinoff in musical format? But, in classic Cassidy fashion, she saw the best in everything. So, we took the bus from our dorm rooms at the University of Pittsburgh to the Benedum Center downtown without a minute of new-friend-awkward-small-talk, and instead jumping right into life stories. We could not have been more different at this time, and yet we spent the whole night laughing until tears at how silly The Office: The Musical truly ended up being. The difference here, though, is that Cassidy’s laughs are sprinkled with coughs.

Now, Cassidy is a HR specialist at Mueller Water Company in Atlanta, GA. She loves her job, her friends, and her family, but she spends most of her time planning for her upcoming double lung transplant. Cassidy has interstitial lung disease, which causes scarring of the lung tissues. She developed this disease at birth, but it has quickly developed to become disabling within the last year. Cassidy is reliant on an oxygen tank for breathing support and she carries it with her everywhere she goes. As a result of her breathing difficulties, she has limited mobility. Cassidy, who once was hopping on buses across the city of Pittsburgh and dragging me on random side quests like to satirical musicals, is now in the process of getting on the list for a double lung transplant at just 24-years old.

Cassidy cannot afford her life-saving double lung transplant. Despite her tireless work, the price tag on new lungs and all of the costs that go with it is far past what she can afford. Not only will she have massive medical bills, she will have to pay for housing within a specific radius of Emory hospital, where she is getting her transplant, for a minimum of 3 months. She will have to pay for this housing as well as her apartment north of Atlanta, just outside of the particular range from Emory. She will have to pay out of pocket for her oxygen and preparatory doctor’s. The bottom line is, Cassidy cannot afford to continue living.

To cover this myriad of expenses, we are asking for $60,000. Funds raised will go directly to her transplant surgery, recovery costs, and the long and strenuous journey of healing that follows. Please consider donating to the ray of sunshine herself, Cassidy Dinsmore. Every donation, share, and message of support brings Cassidy one breath closer to a new beginning. She deserves the option for a better life. We also ask that you refrain from asking Cassidy questions during this sensitive time.

Thank you for your time,

Grace Stringer & Cassidy’s Second Wind Team