Lungs for Nikki
Donation protected
My niece, Nikki, was diagnosed with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) seven years ago after having difficulty breathing. Pulmonary Hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart. This makes it harder for blood to flow through the lungs and raises pressure within the lungs' arteries. As the pressure builds, the heart's right ventricle must work harder to pump blood through the lungs, eventually causing the heart muscle to weaken and fail.
Knowing Nikki, this post is the first you’ve heard that she’s having health trouble. Please don’t think this is because you aren’t important to her—it’s exactly the opposite. She never wanted to cause worry or stress for those she cares about but it’s time to share her story now more than ever.
After being hospitalized in May, her condition became more severe, and her pulmonologist suggested that she could be a candidate for a lung transplant so she was referred to Penn Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where they are recognized as one of the most experienced lung transplant teams in the nation. After undergoing a week-long evaluation by the transplant team to determine if this is the best option for her, the transplant team decided she was a good candidate to receive a double-lung transplant and received a lung allocation score (LAS). Now her name and blood type are entered into the United Network for Organ Sharing's (UNOS) computerized national waiting list. This waiting list assures equal access and fair distribution of organs when they become available.
When a lung becomes available for transplantation, it is given to the best possible match, based on blood type, size, tissue (HLA) type, recipient's medical condition, cross-match compatibility, the length of time the recipient has been waiting, and the number of lungs the recipient needs. Nikki can get the call any day now!
Why are we asking for donations?
Nikki lives in Massachusetts and her parents, Joann and Randy, live in Connecticut. For Nikki to access the life-saving lung transplant treatment, Nikki and her parents, who want to be by her side, must relocate to Philadelphia. When a donor becomes available, Nikki has only four hours to get to the hospital—that is not possible while living in New England. For several weeks after the surgery, patients are followed closely by the Penn Lung transplant team immediately following hospital discharge, where patients are expected to return to the Penn Transplant Institute three times a week for about eight weeks. During these visits, patients receive ongoing therapy and medical care while they are monitored for any signs of infection, rejection, or medication side effects.
This fundraiser is to help Nikki and her family with travel, living expenses, and medical care post-surgery.
Nikki is the most tenacious, resilient person I know, but unfortunately, Nikki and her family are now faced with a long, difficult, and financially burdened road ahead.
Heartfelt thanks for all your support!
Please share our campaign and follow our regular updates.
#LungsforNikki
Knowing Nikki, this post is the first you’ve heard that she’s having health trouble. Please don’t think this is because you aren’t important to her—it’s exactly the opposite. She never wanted to cause worry or stress for those she cares about but it’s time to share her story now more than ever.
After being hospitalized in May, her condition became more severe, and her pulmonologist suggested that she could be a candidate for a lung transplant so she was referred to Penn Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where they are recognized as one of the most experienced lung transplant teams in the nation. After undergoing a week-long evaluation by the transplant team to determine if this is the best option for her, the transplant team decided she was a good candidate to receive a double-lung transplant and received a lung allocation score (LAS). Now her name and blood type are entered into the United Network for Organ Sharing's (UNOS) computerized national waiting list. This waiting list assures equal access and fair distribution of organs when they become available.
When a lung becomes available for transplantation, it is given to the best possible match, based on blood type, size, tissue (HLA) type, recipient's medical condition, cross-match compatibility, the length of time the recipient has been waiting, and the number of lungs the recipient needs. Nikki can get the call any day now!
Why are we asking for donations?
Nikki lives in Massachusetts and her parents, Joann and Randy, live in Connecticut. For Nikki to access the life-saving lung transplant treatment, Nikki and her parents, who want to be by her side, must relocate to Philadelphia. When a donor becomes available, Nikki has only four hours to get to the hospital—that is not possible while living in New England. For several weeks after the surgery, patients are followed closely by the Penn Lung transplant team immediately following hospital discharge, where patients are expected to return to the Penn Transplant Institute three times a week for about eight weeks. During these visits, patients receive ongoing therapy and medical care while they are monitored for any signs of infection, rejection, or medication side effects.
This fundraiser is to help Nikki and her family with travel, living expenses, and medical care post-surgery.
Nikki is the most tenacious, resilient person I know, but unfortunately, Nikki and her family are now faced with a long, difficult, and financially burdened road ahead.
Heartfelt thanks for all your support!
Please share our campaign and follow our regular updates.
#LungsforNikki
Organizer and beneficiary
Julie Richard
Organizer
Shrewsbury, MA
Nikki Richard
Beneficiary
