Help Audra Breathe: Support her Life-Saving Lung Transplant

Hi friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers,

These past several years have been hard on many of us, but few have faced more with quiet strength than our dear friend Audra.

In 2018, Audra was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, a serious condition that makes it difficult to breathe. After contracting COVID twice, she was also diagnosed with COPD in 2020. Despite these challenges, she has continued working as a hospice caregiver, caring for others even while relying on a portable oxygen pack she wears 24/7.

For the past four years, she has been under the care of Dr. Raman at the University of Utah, working toward a spot on the lung transplant list. She’s now officially on it—and with that comes the long wait for the call that could save her life.

But the reality of transplant doesn’t end with surgery.

After receiving new lungs, Audra and her partner, Chad will need to temporarily relocate to Salt Lake City, in order to live no more than an hour from the hospital. She must then work through the rehab appointments, labs, and follow-ups three times a week or more. This post-op stay is expected to last at least three months, possibly up to six, with housing alone costing over $2,000/month, not including food, fuel, and other essentials.

Audra is the kind of person who pours into others. She’s a loving caregiver, a thoughtful dog sitter, and the heart behind “Aunt Audi’s Pickled Asparagus” and her famous Sweet Hot Mustard. She’s also someone who has turned personal heartbreak into public service: after her beloved niece disappeared from their family home, Audra dedicated thousands of volunteer hours raising awareness for missing persons and supporting families navigating the same nightmare.

Now, it’s our turn to show up for her.

This fundraiser will help cover the cost of temporary housing, travel, food, and medical expenses as Audra prepares for and recovers from her transplant. Any remaining funds will be paid forward to another transplant patient in need—because that’s who Audra is.

If you’ve ever met Audra, you already know how fun, generous, loyal, and strong she is. If you haven’t been blessed to know her yet, trust us, you’d be lucky to!

Please DONATE if you’re able.

SHARE if you can.

Every dollar, every prayer, every bit of support helps.

With deep gratitude,

Friends of Audra