I am asking everyone to pull together as a family for our dear friend Rita. Rita is my friend whom I’ve known for years. She’s also a nurse and has spent countless nights and days saving lives. Giving the best care to her patients is what she does. Then, suddenly, after working several 12 hour shifts in a

row, she found herself in the ER. She felt her heart racing when she woke up. Within a couple of hours, she was given the news: “YOU’RE GOING TO NEED A HEART TRANSPLANT.” She went straight to ICU…was transferred to the Christ Hospital. No warning, other than being tired like we all are! Nothing that would have given a hint that she was in heart failure. The transplant work-up began but her time was limited…as she was in serious heart failure and went into cardiogenic shock. Rita left us for a while and does not recall the struggle she went thru over the next weeks. She was under the care of an amazing cardiac team…and finally woke up. Had undergone open heart surgery and now living off the support of an LVAD. It took weeks for her to be strong enough to get out of bed with a walker. A few steps at a time, one day at a time. After a few weeks, she was able to go home. She requires 24/7 supervision. She is not permitted to drive and has to be taken to multiple appointments each week. Has had a couple of set backs and was admitted with a TIA last week. It’s exhausting for her to make it out and go to her appointments… A daily balance of drinking enough, but not too much. Proper nutrition and a LOT of medications, some of which are very expensive. She needs a sterile dressing change every other day…the driveline site where the cable enters her body and is attached to her heart. She no longer has a palpable pulse and when you listen with a stethoscope…ya just hear the LVAD “humm”. Rita has some days where she feels alone. She can’t take a bath or swim… not even shower yet. Sponge at the sink.

Rita is 3 months into her recovery. She needs our help! As none of us could prepare for this kind of life-changing event, Rita doesn’t qualify for any assistance. She will not be able to return to work and has not had any income since July, 5 months as of now. Graham, her son, has stepped in to help, along with her amazing friends. Rita would be here for any of us and we have to be there for her! She will soon be without healthcare insurance. Food and her basic needs are a struggle, not to mention the utilities and rent she has to pay. It takes time for any benefits she might receive to be available, still months away. She was given a second chance. LET'S PULL TOGETHER AND HELP HER OUT WHILE SHE RECOVERS… batteries and electric are keeping her alive…BUT she needs our help!