Katie's NEW HEART!

Katie Purnell White received a heart transplant performed by medical magicians in May 2022 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. That was only the beginning of a long journey ahead for Katie. 

 

JOIN US in supporting Katie Purnell White on her road to recovery.

Our goal is a gift of $20,007.

Insurance covers the surgery, not costs associated with 113 days at Mayo Clinic or months-long rehabilitation.

 

 

Snapshot of expenses: 

*14 weeks of family hotel stays while Katie waited at Mayo for a heart ($2000)
*3-4 month stay at Gift of Life Transplant House post-surgery for Katie and family ($7000) 
*Heart-healthy meals and groceries on a restricted diet at Gift of Life Transplant House ($4000)
*Family travel (gas, parking) over 7 months between Rochester (Mayo Clinic, Gift of Life) and Twin Cities ($7000)

Your donation at work:

$20 - one-way Twin Cities-Rochester trip
$30 - one night at Gift of Life 
$100 - three days of heart-healthy meals
$900 - one month at Gift of Life 

 

THANK YOU for your donation!

 

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

More about Katie’s story …

 

Katie was born with a congenital heart condition that required an artificial valve. Her first open-heart surgery was performed days after birth, her sixth heart surgery the summer before our senior year of high school – but she was ready to dance in time for Homecoming!

 

 

Katie graduated from St. Catherine University and became a nurse at Children’s Hospital of Minnesota, giving back to the medical community that served her and dedicating her life to helping patients in their most vulnerable moments. She later moved “Up North” to Grand Marais, serving the small community at the local hospital as a frontline worker at the peak of the Covid pandemic – so selflessly helping others that she didn’t realize she’d fallen into heart failure!

 

 

Katie spent 97 days in residence at Mayo Clinic waiting for a new heart, which she finally received in a 10-hour surgery on May 15.

 

 

Katie’s husband Jason White, a flight medic, has also dedicated his life to helping others by transporting patients across the Midwest. Jason has been at Katie’s side, but duty calls and he returns to work helping those in need as Katie focuses her attention on recovery.

 

 

The first time Jason heard Katie’s new heartbeat through a stethoscope, he wept. It was the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard. It marked the start of a new life for the two of them.

 

 

Katie and her family are beyond grateful for the care she’s received from the incredible doctors, nurses, and support staff at Mayo. They bring expertise and laughter in equal doses.

 

 

Katie’s unrivaled bravery and unwavering optimism reflect her lust for life. She’s overcome many challenges since surgery and will face more obstacles ahead, but she confronts each hurdle with courage, faith, and fortitude.

 

Katie is a warrior and survivor by any measure.

 

 

THANK YOU for your donation!

 

Dannah Shinder & Vanessa Wasche