My sister, Marina is 30 years old, single, and a kidney transplant recipient. What first seemed like a routine case of the flu—upper respiratory congestion, body aches, fever—quickly turned into something far more serious. After about a week, she thought she was improving, but instead her condition worsened and my Dad took her to the emergency room and she was soon transferred to the ICU unit with severe pneumonia and dehydration.

After a week there, they eventually transferred to a larger hospital better equipped to care for her. After another week in the ICU, doctors determined that Marina was suffering from a severe fungal infection in her lungs common in the Midwest—something most people are exposed to without issue. However, because Marina is a transplant recipient and takes immunosuppressant medications, her body was unable to fight the infection.

Marina spent six weeks in the ICU on a ventilator and feeding tube and is now facing several more weeks (through Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years) on a pulmonary floor, with no clear end in sight. When she is stable enough, she will be transferred yet again—first to a long-term acute care hospital, and then to a rehabilitation facility to regain strength, mobility, and independence.

This journey has understandably put her life and job on hold and created a significant financial strain for her and our family. Many of you have reached out asking how you can help, and while many of her future needs are still unknown, we know they will be substantial.

If you feel led to support Marina during this time, please consider donating to this GoFundMe. As needs arise, these funds will help us support her recovery and assist her in getting back on her feet—God willing.

If you are unable to give financially, we ask that you please consider sharing this page on social media or with others who may want to support Marina. Every share, prayer, and donation makes a meaningful difference and helps carry some of the burden during this long road to recovery. Thank you for standing with Marina and our family during this challenging season!

Blessings,

Hannah Fisher and family