Kelly's Kids - College Fund
Donation protected
My name is Tara Tarasi and my sister Nicole Campay and I are setting up this Go Fund Me to put in a 529 College Savings plan, for our sister Kelly-ann Saggese's 2 children Gregory and Nicholas.
Kelly-ann received an LVAD (left ventricular assist device) on June 26, 2019 after suffering a massive heart attack that destroyed her left ventricle which is responsible for pumping blood to the aorta to pump throughout the body. Several weeks prior, Kelly had 2 surgeries to put in stents in both of her kidneys because they were completely blocked causing sepsis. The morning after the surgery, she suffered the heart attack and was placed on ECMO, then an Impella. Both are external devices that help the body and heart function while letting the heart rest and hopefully heal. Unfortunately, that didn't happen and we were faced with 2 choices - let Kelly go or implant an LVAD. This decision was a no brainer and we decided on the LVAD. Kelly would need a heart transplant, but the LVAD was meant to give her time to get placed on a transplant list. After Kelly-ann fully woke up about 2 weeks later, she was unable to move her legs. We were hopeful it was temporary, but it wasn't. From June 7, 2019 until November 27, 2019, Kelly was in the hospital and then 2 rehab centers. From the time Kelly came home until October 2020, she was hospitalized another 22 times of which twice she was there for about a month.
Kelly-ann's body was breaking down. She was a fierce fighter and given her young age, she persevered, when most wouldn't have, but the hits just kept on coming. Kelly was always in pain and each hospitalization revealed another issue. She had blood clots, a pulmonary embolism, open wounds on both legs, a rare fungus in her blood, a UTI that required IV antibiotics, and the list goes on. Our poor Kelly wanted so bad to feel well and get back to her life. She was never able to walk again. Her last hospitalization with the pulmonary embolism was when Kelly's team of doctors told us that there is nothing more they can do and recommended home hospice. Kelly-ann came home on November 17, 2020 and she made it through the holidays like she wanted to. Her last few weeks were rough, but she was very funny with the things she would say and although she recognized us, her reality was different than ours. We were glad she didn't focus on what was happening (most days). She was scared and she didn't want to die, but she made peace with it.
Kelly-ann gained her angel wings on January 7, 2021 and we were all at her side. Our hearts are broken forever and the pain at times is unbearable, but we want everyone to remember the good times. Speak her name and let her memory live on forever.
In lieu of flowers, Nicole and I are requesting donations to this go fund me which will be used to set up a 529 college savings plan in Kelly-ann's memory. She was so proud of her boys. They were what got her through most days and she knows they will reach for the stars and we are hoping that these funds will assist with the usual college expenses.
We appreicate everyone's love, support and prayers throughout the last 19 months and hope you will continue to keep her boys and rest of the family in your prayers.
Kelly-ann received an LVAD (left ventricular assist device) on June 26, 2019 after suffering a massive heart attack that destroyed her left ventricle which is responsible for pumping blood to the aorta to pump throughout the body. Several weeks prior, Kelly had 2 surgeries to put in stents in both of her kidneys because they were completely blocked causing sepsis. The morning after the surgery, she suffered the heart attack and was placed on ECMO, then an Impella. Both are external devices that help the body and heart function while letting the heart rest and hopefully heal. Unfortunately, that didn't happen and we were faced with 2 choices - let Kelly go or implant an LVAD. This decision was a no brainer and we decided on the LVAD. Kelly would need a heart transplant, but the LVAD was meant to give her time to get placed on a transplant list. After Kelly-ann fully woke up about 2 weeks later, she was unable to move her legs. We were hopeful it was temporary, but it wasn't. From June 7, 2019 until November 27, 2019, Kelly was in the hospital and then 2 rehab centers. From the time Kelly came home until October 2020, she was hospitalized another 22 times of which twice she was there for about a month.
Kelly-ann's body was breaking down. She was a fierce fighter and given her young age, she persevered, when most wouldn't have, but the hits just kept on coming. Kelly was always in pain and each hospitalization revealed another issue. She had blood clots, a pulmonary embolism, open wounds on both legs, a rare fungus in her blood, a UTI that required IV antibiotics, and the list goes on. Our poor Kelly wanted so bad to feel well and get back to her life. She was never able to walk again. Her last hospitalization with the pulmonary embolism was when Kelly's team of doctors told us that there is nothing more they can do and recommended home hospice. Kelly-ann came home on November 17, 2020 and she made it through the holidays like she wanted to. Her last few weeks were rough, but she was very funny with the things she would say and although she recognized us, her reality was different than ours. We were glad she didn't focus on what was happening (most days). She was scared and she didn't want to die, but she made peace with it.
Kelly-ann gained her angel wings on January 7, 2021 and we were all at her side. Our hearts are broken forever and the pain at times is unbearable, but we want everyone to remember the good times. Speak her name and let her memory live on forever.
In lieu of flowers, Nicole and I are requesting donations to this go fund me which will be used to set up a 529 college savings plan in Kelly-ann's memory. She was so proud of her boys. They were what got her through most days and she knows they will reach for the stars and we are hoping that these funds will assist with the usual college expenses.
We appreicate everyone's love, support and prayers throughout the last 19 months and hope you will continue to keep her boys and rest of the family in your prayers.
Organizer
Tara Tarasi
Organizer
Massapequa, NY