Rose's heart & kidney transplant

Our sweet Rose got the call. She is on her way to LA to receive a heart and kidney transplant, her third heart transplant.

Rose had her first heart transplant as a child, and at age 12 had a second transplant due to severe coronary artery disease from chronic low-level rejection. 18 years later she was hospitalized for heart and kidney failure and was listed again for a transplanted heart and kidney. She is scheduled to have the surgery tomorrow night, on Halloween.

To know Rose is to know her generosity, empathy, and brilliance. She is a caring friend, amazing cook, avid reader and learner, and fierce advocate for justice. She has a wonderful partner of eight years, and is mom to the sweetest blind dog. She is very close to her family - her mom, brother and sister-in-law, and little niblings. She enriches everyone’s life who is lucky enough to know her.

We’re not sure how much everything is going to cost, but Rose will be spending three months recovering in LA post-surgery. Funds will support flights for her and her partner and mom, three months of lodging, and everything our flawed healthcare system doesn’t cover through insurance. This is a stressful, traumatic, and expensive process. I know Rose has big support systems in her hometown Lawrence, Kansas, and her adopted city Portland, Oregon. Let’s help ease the stress a little by helping raise as much as we can for our dear friend.

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Update 11/4/22

For those who missed the last update: Unfortunately Rose tested positive for covid when she arrived in LA and they were not able to do the transplant on Halloween. We were all extremely disappointed, but the good news is that Rose's weakened immune system has been able to fight covid very well (a reminder to all of us to get the updated booster!). Her spot on the list has been paused, and we think she will be re-listed on 11/14 after the 14-day isolation. We are all very optimistic she will get another call soon, and the silver lining is that another family got their transplant call. Another reminder to make sure we are all registered organ donors :). We are so grateful for everyone's continued love and support; it means so much to Rose.