For years, Tammy has been known for her strength and courage—to giving the shirt off her back or going the extra mile to help another. With that, she still found time to attend every sports event, every celebration, and event to support family or others. But slowly, her breath began to betray her. At first, it was a little tightness when she climbed stairs. Then, she was gasping after walking to the mailbox.

She was diagnosed with respiratory failure. Respiratory failure is a condition where you don’t have enough oxygen in the tissues in your body (hypoxia) or when you have too much carbon dioxide in your blood (hypercapnia). You might also hear people use the term “acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF)” to describe it, which makes it harder and harder to breathe. It starts off small but gets worse with no cure—just a slow, steady decline. At first, medications helped. She used oxygen occasionally, then all the time. Her world began to shrink. No more attending events. No more long walks. Eventually, even getting out of bed felt like climbing a mountain.

Her doctors watched her condition worsen despite treatment. Her lungs, once full of life, were stiff and scarred—barely functioning. Her blood oxygen levels dropped dangerously low, even on full-time oxygen. She was constantly exhausted, lightheaded, and more prone to infections. Hospital visits became routine.

One day, her pulmonologist sat beside her and said what Tammy had feared but expected:

“We’ve done everything we can. It’s time to consider a lung transplant.”

It wasn’t an easy decision. Transplants come with risks and challenges—but also hope. For Tammy, it was no longer just about living longer; it was about having the chance to live fully again. To breathe deeply. To spend many days with her husband, see her children and grandchildren grow.

Now, she is in the process for a transplant through OSU, Cleveland Clinic, and Louisville. This process is not only a stressful time for her and her family, but we are doing everything we can to ease this process, especially the financial burden on her and the family. She courageously still pushes through it everyday. She stubbornly and courageously still fights everyday to go to work as much as she can, when her body allows.

It takes a village to make things happen. We’re hoping our village will expand throughout the community. We will update as we go through this process. We ask for any donation. No donation is too big or too small. A simple share will do. If you cannot donate, donate by sharing and spreading her story. We have an upcoming benefit and would love to have as many people as we can attend. We thank every person who has taken the time to read her story and for the future donations. We will continue to support and share her story.