Cents 4 Cindy

"Where there is no struggle, there is no strength." This quote couldn't be truer for Ms. Cindy Crawford. Despite the hard hand she has been dealt in life, she has the most beautiful spirit. She lost her husband while her children were young and raised four children of the utmost caliber single handedly. As if that wasn't enough of a challenge in itself, in 2002 she was diagnosed with an enlarged heart with an output of less than 10%, and has gone through several procedures since, including the installation of a heart defibrillator, pacemaker and LVAD (left ventricular assist device). After Cindy received the LVAD in 2008, she spent over two years adjusting to life with a battery operated heart while waiting for her match for a heart transplant. After several trying callouts to Oschner Hospital in New Orleans that turned out to be letdowns for her, she finally got the call for what turned out to be Cindy's new heart, or new "hot" as she would say with her preserving Yankee accent. With God's grace and the support of so many friends and family, she conquered that decade long battle and managed to keep a beautiful smile on her face and a grateful state of mind. However, in January of this year Cindy and her family were given the terrible news of a mass discovered on her brain. Cindy took the news better than imaginable and stayed so strong for her family. She underwent the very serious procedure to have the tumor removed. The surgery went well, but the doctors were still unsure of what type of mass they had removed, so it had to be sent off for further testing. It was about a week later when she and her family were informed that the mass was Stage 4 malignant cancer. Even then, Cindy kept positive spirits and agreed to undergo radiation and chemotherapy. She has tried to stay strong through the treatments which can be very tiring for the body, however she has had several setbacks. Mainly her body is having strokes due to a semi-blocked artery in her brain. A procedure to remove the blockage would be too dangerous, therefore the doctors don't have much they can do for her at this point. In the past couple of weeks her health has declined steadily. It's a sad thing to watch someone so selfless and undeserving of all these troubles have to suffer through more than anyone's fair share of hard times. What's amazing is when that someone doesn't let all the bad break their spirit. Cindy still managed to find the good in every day and give what she can to others, from thanking her nurses and aids constantly for simply doing their jobs to demanding her family members to bring presents she had at home whenever someone's birthday passed while in the hospital. We have setup this fund to help give back some of the love Cindy so effortlessly shows to everyone around her. We hope that you will help us in an effort to take some of her financial worries away through donating on this site. Please keep Cindy and her family in your prayers as we know God has brighter days ahead for this bunch of beautiful souls! Thank you for taking the time to read her story and help out in any small way. Words can't express our gratitude to you!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Sometimes the cares of the day seem to multiply, while the blessings fade so quickly. Our bodies grow tired and our minds even more tired. Jesus, please give the strength You promised in Your word to those in need. Give them the power to take the next step. Grant them with Your grace... For we know that in our weakest moments, Your strength is revealed. May you wrap your arms around them and provide them with peace and understanding during this difficult time. Please calm their souls and help them rest in Your arms. We are so grateful to You, Father, for all that You continue to bless us with and for loving us unconditionally. Thank you for listening to our thoughts and prayers and constantly moving on our behalf.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.