I’m making this fundraiser on behalf of my very dear friend, Lilly. Just a little over a year ago, at only 35 years old, Lilly was unexpectedly diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Since then, she has faced complication after complication, spending much of this past year in and out of the hospital—away from her husband and children.

Lilly has always had a heart for helping others. She devoted her career to caring for seniors in their hardest times, and even after her diagnosis, she refused to sit idle. Despite her health struggles, she found part-time work again as a Director of Social Services, continuing her passion for serving her community.

On top of the congestive heart failure Lilly also suppers from Supra-ventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, and hyperlipidemia.

Right now, Lilly is hospitalized once more, with her heart function down to only 20%. She is being transferred to a university hospital, three hours away, to undergo a major surgery to implant a device called an EVICD. This device will help to control and lessen all of the arrhythmias associated with her diagnosis and hopefully help her to be able to keep her natural heart as long as possible before eventually receiving a heart transplant. By using this device, they are hoping to only have to give her one transplant in her lifetime rather than multiple. She will be inpatient for this procedure and recovery.

This means her husband will need to travel back and forth, take time off of work, and arrange childcare for their children—on top of the financial strain they’ve already been under this past year. Between the loss of Lilly’s income, medical bills, and childcare challenges, their family is struggling to make ends meet.

I am reaching out to ask our community to rally around Lilly and her family. Your generosity will help cover essential expenses over the next couple of months: rent, groceries, childcare, travel to and from the hospital, and the costs that come with her healing process.

Lilly is one of the sweetest, most loving, and selfless people I know. She has spent her life caring for others—now it’s our chance to care for her. Any amount you can give will make a real difference.

Thank you in advance for your kindness, compassion, and support.