Malkosky Family

Hi, my name is Brandy and I am fundraising for my best friend Kim Malkosky and her family.

Around October 10th, Kim’s daughter Gina started getting sick with influenza. By October 18th it turned into pneumonia in her left lung. October 24th, the pneumonia was now on both lungs, so she was admitted to hospital #1 to be put on IV meds, nebulizer, and oxygen. October 30th, the Pulmonologist and Infectious diseases doctor decided to do a Broncoscopy. November 1st, Gina was transported to hospital #2 (out of state) because she got worse and required more oxygen and hospital #1 didn’t feel equipped for this and wanted her moved to a PICU. This hospital did many breathing treatments and exercises with her. Even vibrated her lungs to try and break up some of the stuff in her lungs to help loosen everything. November 2nd they discovered she also had Histoplasmosis. They put her on what they thought was the correct meds and sent her home November 3rd. At home, Gina continued to feel worse, hard to breath again, pain in her arm, fevers, could barely walk. November 7th, blood work showed her white blood count elevated again and X-ray showed her chest had not cleared up any and her oxygen was low. Admitted to hospital #3 November 8th where they found she has a blood clot in her arm from the picc line from hospital #1 and Pulmonary Embolism of the lungs (blood clots). That hospital transferred her to hospital #4 for a team of specialists to take over her case.

Gina is one of the most kind hearted teens you could ever meet. She has a love for God and heart of gold that is truly amazing. She volunteers at the Special Olympic Games. She spends time during the summer as a counselor at a camp for those with disabilities. Besides going to school and babysitting, she is also a caretaker for a woman with disabilities. She brings her bowling and shopping and does many fun activities to put a smile on her face.

Gina’s family is amazing. They will be the first ones up to the plate to help those in need. Her mom and I have been best friends for 30 years. She was my maid of honor and is my youngest’s godmother. Kim is a hairstylist and rents a chair at a salon. With all that has been going on, she has not been able to work. Without being able to work, that means no income coming in. Jon is also running out of time off. With Kim working for herself and Jon working for a small company, they have to pay for their own state insurance which doesn’t have the best coverage. This comes with a big out of pocket expense. They have also had to rent hotel rooms when far away from home and wanting to be close for Gina of course.

I just really want to help take the worry and burden of medical expenses and bills off of their plate. This is such an amazing and deserving family.

Thank you for your help, it is very much appreciated! Please continue for Gina’s doctors to find answers and be able to heal her.