Help Katie Donovan Breathe Easier
Donation protected
Hi this is Katie's Aunt (Aunt Gale). We all know Katie is a warrior! She was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension back in 2004. It was shocking news for a 17-year old to receive as she was just nearing her life as an adult. But that did not stop our warrior!!
From the beginning, Katie was determined to make Lemon Drops out of lemons. She went on to finish her education and received her license as an X-ray Technologist. There were of course, tough days when her symptoms would be front and center, but Katie has been going about her life, landing a job she loves, attending family and friend's weddings, traveling and managing her illness--always with a positive attitude and smile.
Katie and her family have always known challenges lay ahead. She would most likely require a heart and double lung transplant--hopefully she would be 40 or older when the time came. But that was not to be and Katie took a turn in 2020 that landed her near the top of the national donor list for a pair of lungs. On April 7, 2021 she received a call that a pair of lungs that appeared to be a good match was available. On April 8, 2021 she underwent double lung transplant surgery and we are happy to report the surgery appears to be a success.
Since the surgery, we have been looking for a temporary "home" for Katie who needs to be near Stanford Medical Center in case something were to happen, and for the many follow-up appointments that lie ahead over the next four months. This presented her first major financial challenge.
Because Katie needs to remain relatively isolated, a local apartment was the best option. To rent a short term apartment in Palo Alto runs between $3500 and $5500. We have been able to find a bright and comfy place across the street from the medical center for roughly $4,000.
Katie's needs will not end after the lease of the 4-month apartment is up. She has a long road ahead that include medical bills and rehabilitation to adapt to her new lungs. She will most likely be out of work for some time as she recovers.
To this end, we are asking loved ones, friends, friends of families or the kindness of you, if you are reading this to help Katie breathe a little easier as she rehabs with her new lungs--and financially so the burden of debt does not weigh on her with each breath.
From the beginning, Katie was determined to make Lemon Drops out of lemons. She went on to finish her education and received her license as an X-ray Technologist. There were of course, tough days when her symptoms would be front and center, but Katie has been going about her life, landing a job she loves, attending family and friend's weddings, traveling and managing her illness--always with a positive attitude and smile.
Katie and her family have always known challenges lay ahead. She would most likely require a heart and double lung transplant--hopefully she would be 40 or older when the time came. But that was not to be and Katie took a turn in 2020 that landed her near the top of the national donor list for a pair of lungs. On April 7, 2021 she received a call that a pair of lungs that appeared to be a good match was available. On April 8, 2021 she underwent double lung transplant surgery and we are happy to report the surgery appears to be a success.
Since the surgery, we have been looking for a temporary "home" for Katie who needs to be near Stanford Medical Center in case something were to happen, and for the many follow-up appointments that lie ahead over the next four months. This presented her first major financial challenge.
Because Katie needs to remain relatively isolated, a local apartment was the best option. To rent a short term apartment in Palo Alto runs between $3500 and $5500. We have been able to find a bright and comfy place across the street from the medical center for roughly $4,000.
Katie's needs will not end after the lease of the 4-month apartment is up. She has a long road ahead that include medical bills and rehabilitation to adapt to her new lungs. She will most likely be out of work for some time as she recovers.
To this end, we are asking loved ones, friends, friends of families or the kindness of you, if you are reading this to help Katie breathe a little easier as she rehabs with her new lungs--and financially so the burden of debt does not weigh on her with each breath.
Organiser and beneficiary
Gale Sheean-Remotto
Organiser
Livermore, CA
Catherine Donovan
Beneficiary