Kelli's Medical Fund

My name is Kelli Beyer and I am a 26 year old nonprofit professional living in Washington, D.C.  For more than a decade now, I have battled with chest pains, heart arrhythmias, fainting episodes, shortness of breath, and increasing difficulty to compensate for my symptoms and live an active and healthy lifestyle. After a severe fainting episode in April 2014 which was accompanied with new and severe symptoms, I finally made the commitment to find the right specialist to get to the bottom of my condition. Over the course of several months and through consultations and extensive testing with specialists at George Washington University, Johns Hopkins, and the Cleveland Clinic, we are finally coming to understand the possible causes for my symptoms. 

While we rule out a more serious heart defect at Johns Hopkins, I am working closely with specialists at the Cleveland Clinic to detemine the best intervention. At this time, we have determined that surgery to address a condition called pectus excavatum is my best option. The chest deformity is putting pressure on my heart and lungs causing 3 of the 4 chambers of my heart to pump ineffectively and my lung capacity to be at 63% of the average for people my age. To alleviate the pressure on my heart and lungs, the doctors are recommending surgery to reshape my sternum and ribcage.  Although the surgery and prolonged recovery will be difficult, my doctors have assured me that they only recommend it to about 40% of patientsthey see whose conditions are severe enough for them to fully benefit from the procedure. Other patients have described this surgery as life changing and I am ready to consider anything at this point if it means I can live life more actively and fully. 

The only thing preventing me from moving forward at this point is finances. Even after insurance, my medical bills and travel expenses have already become overwhelming. With the surgery itself projected to cost as much as $10,000, I am forced to seek help if I can make this life-changing intervention a reality. Any additional funds raised will help defray costs of post-operative care, travel, post-surgery consultations, and general expenses in the weeks after surgery and before I can get back to work. If you can contribute any amount to my fund, I will be extremely grateful. 

THANK YOU!