Katie and her heart

Hi, I am Erin Gee and this fund is being set up to help my daughter Katie (Gee) Nack and those of us supporting her (Marc Nack and Rob Gee) as she embarks on this new heart journey.

27 years ago, we were told that our 3-year-old little girl had 1 day to 5 years left to live. Katie Jo was born with a very rare non-compacted left ventricle, and there, her heart journey began. After years of being supported, monitored, and intervened by some of the best cardiology experts around, Katie’s heart has finally reached the point of no more intervention.

 

Her condition has deteriorated so significantly that she’s no longer able to work as a teacher of junior high children with special needs. She misses “her kids” terribly and looks forward to the day in her future when she can once again focus on improving their educational experiences through awareness and learning.

 

Katie misses being able to do things like hiking with her husband Marc and taking her beloved pup, Pepper, for walks. She wants the freedom to simply hold and play with her niece, Evie. Needless to say, she has quite the bucket list of things she hopes to do again someday if she were able – including shopping trips to Target (much to Marc’s chagrin).

 

Katie learned today that she has been graciously accepted to receive the gift of a most generous donor heart when it becomes available.

 

Transplants aren’t cheap and there’s a lot involved for her to get there. Immediate needs are things like covering day-to-day expenses no longer covered because she can’t work. They live an hour+ away from the transplant team and gas is expensive! We need to convert their tub into a walk-in shower with a seat and grab bars. Things like that.

 

We will also need help with lodging near the hospital when the time comes. There are places with transplant rates and exceptional commitments to cleanliness that will be required for her safety.

 

And of course, the out-of-pocket medical expenses…like deductibles…and anti-rejection meds are NOT fully covered and carry a hefty price tag. Ultimately it all adds up.

The funds raised here are going into an account that we will pull from to pay for the things noted above. In just the short time this fund has been started, we've already raised enough to have someone come in and help replace the tub with a shower and to fix a back fence to keep Pepper safe while Katie is resting inside.  

If you have the ability to help with a donation, we will gratefully accept. If you have the ability to send positive thoughts and prayers, we welcome that too!