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Chris Penn’s heart is failing in a big way. Over the 25 years of friendship with Chris, my wife Kathy and I remember walking flea markets, country line dancing, and just hanging out with Chris & Julie. We have many enjoyable memories when Chris could walk and laugh with us without limitations. However, for many years now, Chris has been struggling in his battle against congestive heart failure as well as a genetic liver disorder. Although his positive attitude has not changed, his physical condition has steadily declined, drastically reducing his ability to perform daily activities.
At the age of 36, Chris had his first heart attack, and in the following 16 years has been through 5 more heart attacks, 11 stents, a bypass surgery, received a pacemaker, and had many more doctor visits to filter the dangerously high cholesterol from his blood. Now, at only 52 years of age, things have become life-threatening and at last check, Chris’s heart was functioning at only 16% of what a normal heart can pump. Without a heart transplant, Chris’s heart will fail. That is why Chris is finally being put on the heart transplant list. On top of that, Chris has learned that a double transplant (heart & liver) may be a viable option, pending a few final test results.
The purpose of this fundraiser is to help financially support Chris and Julie during the first year of this life long process. The financial need is topped by Julie taking leave without pay equivalent to about 11 weeks. That's 1 week for Transplant surgery and in Hospital care, 5-6 week post-transplant to care for Chris at home, and about 5 additional weeks accumulated over the following year (25 trips to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philly, for weekly/biweekly/monthly post surgery Heart biopsies & check-ups). They are blessed with their insurance covering the medical expenses, medications, overnight stays if needed, and food for both of them while in Philly, yet they still need to drive 120 miles round trip and cover daily parking fees for their many trips. After adding up the costs of the above, they anticipate needing a minimum of $8,500 to cover their costs and living expenses.
Please prayerfully consider helping meet the tangible needs Chris & Julie will face this upcoming year.
Thank You - Tim Hughes
You can follow Chris’s story here:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mynewheart
At the age of 36, Chris had his first heart attack, and in the following 16 years has been through 5 more heart attacks, 11 stents, a bypass surgery, received a pacemaker, and had many more doctor visits to filter the dangerously high cholesterol from his blood. Now, at only 52 years of age, things have become life-threatening and at last check, Chris’s heart was functioning at only 16% of what a normal heart can pump. Without a heart transplant, Chris’s heart will fail. That is why Chris is finally being put on the heart transplant list. On top of that, Chris has learned that a double transplant (heart & liver) may be a viable option, pending a few final test results.
The purpose of this fundraiser is to help financially support Chris and Julie during the first year of this life long process. The financial need is topped by Julie taking leave without pay equivalent to about 11 weeks. That's 1 week for Transplant surgery and in Hospital care, 5-6 week post-transplant to care for Chris at home, and about 5 additional weeks accumulated over the following year (25 trips to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philly, for weekly/biweekly/monthly post surgery Heart biopsies & check-ups). They are blessed with their insurance covering the medical expenses, medications, overnight stays if needed, and food for both of them while in Philly, yet they still need to drive 120 miles round trip and cover daily parking fees for their many trips. After adding up the costs of the above, they anticipate needing a minimum of $8,500 to cover their costs and living expenses.
Please prayerfully consider helping meet the tangible needs Chris & Julie will face this upcoming year.
Thank You - Tim Hughes
You can follow Chris’s story here:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mynewheart
Organizer and beneficiary
Christopher Penn
Beneficiary