Help Margie Leonard Receive the Lung Transplant She Desperately Needs

Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters,

We are reaching out with heavy hearts and hope in our souls to share the story of my Best Friend and Domestic Partner, Margaret “Margie” Leonard, a devoted Nurse Practitioner who has served the Las Vegas community with compassion and care for decades. Now, Margie needs our help as she faces the fight of her life.

Margie’s Journey

Since April, Margie has been battling a severe and rapidly progressing lung condition that has turned her world upside down. Once active and full of life, she now relies on a ventilator at a local long-term acute care (LTAC) facility to help her breathe.

Over the past months, Margie has faced countless hospitalizations, endured numerous tests, and undergone complex medical procedures as her medical team works tirelessly to stabilize her condition. Despite these immense challenges, her strength and determination remain unwavering.

On New Year’s Day, Margie was transferred to an acute care hospital in Las Vegas in critical but stable condition—a vital step in her fight for survival. Her journey is far from over. A life-saving lung transplant is her best hope for recovery, and she must transfer to a specialized transplant center in Phoenix, Arizona, to receive the care she urgently needs.

Margie’s story is one of resilience, courage, and hope, bolstered by the unwavering support of her loved ones. She continues to fight for her second chance at life, inspiring all who know her.

The Challenges We Face

Margie’s journey toward a life-saving lung transplant is not just a medical battle—it’s a financial and logistical one as well. While we are actively working with her insurance company to cover the cost of her air transport to the transplant center in Phoenix, there is a real possibility we may need to pay for this urgent and expensive service out of pocket.

Here are the major challenges we are facing:

Medical Costs: The cost of a lung transplant and the ongoing care required afterward is staggering, even with insurance. Copays, deductibles, and uncovered expenses quickly add up.

Financial Hardship: Margie has been unable to work since April, leaving her and her partner struggling to cover basic living expenses, let alone the additional costs associated with her medical needs.

Relocation Costs: To support Margie through this difficult time, her partner will need to travel to Phoenix and stay there for an extended and uncertain period. Lodging, transportation, and daily living expenses will place an additional burden on their already strained finances.

These challenges are significant, but we are determined to overcome them with the help of friends, family, and kindhearted supporters. Every contribution brings us closer to ensuring Margie receives the care and support she needs during this critical time.

Margie’s Legacy of Caring

Margie’s journey of care and dedication began in 1984 when she started her career as a young Registered Nurse. Over the years, she worked in diverse and demanding areas, including ERs and pediatric open-heart surgeries. Her skills and compassion took her across the country as a traveling RN, where she brought comfort and healing to countless patients in Emergency Rooms and Intensive Care Units.

In Las Vegas, Margie continued her mission of care as a Nurse Practitioner for more than two decades. Most recently, she served on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic as an Infectious Disease Nurse Practitioner, bravely treating critically ill patients and providing much-needed support to their families during one of the most challenging times in modern history.

Margie also proudly served in the United States Army, where her dedication to helping others was further demonstrated through her commitment to serving her country and caring for those in need.

Margie’s kindness, expertise, and unwavering dedication have touched the lives of patients, families, and colleagues alike. Her selflessness and compassion have left an indelible mark on everyone she has encountered.

Now, as Margie faces her own health battle, it’s our turn to show her the same care, support, and love she has given to so many throughout her incredible career.

How You Can Help

We are humbly asking for your support to help Margie receive the care she desperately needs. Your generous donations will go directly toward:

Medical expenses not covered by insurance

Potential out-of-pocket costs for air transport to Phoenix

Travel and lodging costs for Margie’s partner in Phoenix

Day-to-day living expenses during this challenging time

In addition to financial contributions, we also ask for your thoughts and prayers along this journey. Your love and encouragement mean the world to Margie and her family, giving them strength and hope in this difficult time.

Every Contribution Makes a Difference

No gift is too small—every contribution helps bring Margie closer to the life-saving care she urgently needs. If you’re unable to donate, we kindly ask you to share this campaign with your friends, family, and community to help us reach more people who can make a difference.

Thank you for your compassion, generosity, and prayers during this challenging time. Together, we can give Margie the second chance at life she deserves.