For the past 18 years, Lillian has poured her heart and soul into shaping young minds. She is a devoted educator, mentor, and friend. She has gone above and beyond for every student who has walked through her doors. Whether it’s staying late to help a struggling student, buying school supplies out of her own pocket, or simply offering a listening ear. Lillian has always put others before herself. Her selflessness and dedication have touched countless lives, now it’s our turn to give back.

Here is her story, At the end of the summer she underwent open-heart surgery to replace a valve. While the valve replacement was successful, when the doctors tried to take her off the bypass machine, her heart wasn’t able to pump strongly enough on its own. That led to additional complications with her lungs and, over time, her kidneys as well.

For over two months she was on a variety of different life support devices to keep her alive. Thankfully, she’s now off all of them except for ongoing kidney support, which she receives through dialysis four times a week. There’s still a chance her kidneys will recover in the coming months, but if not, she’s considered a strong candidate for a kidney transplant.

Recovery has been long and difficult, but there is progress—she’s walking again after extensive therapy. At the same time, she’s lost the use of her right hand for now, which makes everyday life a challenge. Her doctors are hopeful this will improve as nerves heal, but it’s a slow process. She’s currently transitioning from short-term to long-term disability benefits, which takes time and leaves some financial gaps. That’s why this fundraiser was created: to help cover medical expenses and living costs while she continues to heal.

Thank you so much for all the love, support, and encouragement—you’ve carried her through more than she ever thought she could endure. She’s deeply grateful.