Our precious Eliza was born with Cystic Fibrosis, a degenerative lung disease that has gradually stolen her breath and now threatens her life.

Despite a lifetime of doctor’s visits, hospital stays, medications, and daily treatments; Eliza has always faced every challenge with incredible strength and grace.

Eliza has always been full of life and creativity! She loves to draw, seek out the perfect iced vanilla latte, play video games, cheer on the New York Yankees, play with her dogs, watch anime, attend cosplay conventions, collect Pokémon cards and restore American Girl dolls. When she was healthy, she loved to dance, hang out with her friends, go to Football games and travel. Even on the hardest of days, she always finds ways to smile and make others laugh.

This past year has been devastating for Eliza. After battling multiple illnesses, her health has drastically declined; so much that she had to temporarily suspend her studies at Old Dominion University. Her lung function has deteriorated to just under 19% and in the past eight months alone, she’s had four hospital admissions.

She is now oxygen dependent, unable to walk long distances and is housebound. In addition to her hospital admissions, Eliza attended 9 weeks of pulmonary rehab, completed 7 days of evaluations at Duke and recently underwent surgery to have a feeding tube placed to help her gain weight and get strong enough for what comes next.

A double lung transplant is Eliza’s best chance to extend her quality of life, but it comes with overwhelming 1.3 million dollar price tag. We will need to relocate to Durham, NC, to be near the transplant center at Duke University Medical Center. We are seeking to raise a minimum of $65,000 to cover expenses that are not covered by insurance, including but not limited to housing, travel expenses, medical equipment, additional medical supplies, post-operative care, rehabilitation, recovery care, ongoing therapies and medications — which are far more than we can manage alone.

Eliza has fought her entire life to not be defined by her illness. She has pushed through every obstacle ever put in her path and is determined to live a normal life. She is a warrior, our hero, and the bravest person we know. We’re asking for your help to give her the chance she’s fought so hard for. This isn’t just about extending her life; it’s about reclaiming it! The chance to breathe freely and live the full, beautiful life she deserves.

Every donation, share, and prayer means the world to us. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for supporting Eliza’s fight for a cure and to be able to breathe again.

With love and gratitude,

David, Joanna, Andrew, Joan and Joe