Help Francia Breathe

Hi, my name is Jen and I am fundraising for my sister-in-law, Francia. Francia was diagnosed with sarcoidosis in 2016, an autoimmune disease that mainly affects her lungs. Over the years, she has been on and off of oxygen and had to leave her position as a pastry chef for something less intense. She had started a job at TD bank a few months earlier, however, on March 17th, she came down with Pneumonia and had multiple lung collapses. She has been in the hospital since then and has had multiple procedures to help her breathe. She was moved from Hartford Hospital to Boston for more advanced treatment.

 

Since arriving in Boston, they have tried multiple procedures and treatments to help her lungs get stronger. From adding valves, physical therapy, a ventilator, and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) machine that takes her blood, oxygenates it, and pumps it back. These have all been very temporary fixes, and now she is on the list for a double lung transplant. Fortunately, she will be able to wait at the hospital in Boston for the transplant. It's a waiting game and we do not know how long she will be in the hospital.

 

Francia's immediate family lives near Boston where they are able to support her and spend time with her at the hospital. My brother, Justin, is able to make time to drive to Boston and see her on the weekends. It's been a very difficult journey for everyone and I'm reaching out to ask you for help. Francia has been out of work since March 17 and will be unable to work for a year after her transplant surgery.

 

Unfortunately, the bills don't stop when you are in the hospital and they just keep growing. Please help Justin and Francia with their medical and household finances so they may focus on Francia's health. We just want her to get those lungs and take a deep breath of relief. Thank you in advance for any support you can give.

 

Remember that organ donation saves lives. Please think about becoming an organ donor. You can give someone the opportunity to live.