Help Support Laura and John
Donation protected
Please help support Laura and John Ramirez as Laura seeks treatment for her lung complications. Laura and John have been through so much already, but you wouldn't know that from talking to them. They are two of the strongest, most caring individuals you will ever meet and are infectiously funny and remain positive no matter what the world throws at them. They've managed to find a way to keep a smile on their face and keep their spirits high. Now they need our support more than ever.
For those of you who don't know, Laura was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemis (ALL) in April of 2007 and received a stem cell transplant that September. She had been doing well after the transplant until in 2009, she was told she had developed a lung disease called graft vs host of the lungs. Laura remained stable for the next few years sparing the occasional lung infection. In January of 2014, Laura went to the doctors after noticing her breathing had become labored and tests determined her lung capacity had dropped by 20%.
Steriods and inhalers seemed to do the trick until returning to the doctors in July of 2014 to find out one of her lungs had partially collapsed. That fall Laura would have two more lung collapses, and would have two procedures to keep her lungs from collopsing in the future.
While Laura does not have to worry about lung collapse anymore, unfortunately her lung health has continued to deteriorate. In spring of 2015 it was determined Laura would need a lung transplant. In the pre-transplant work-up process doctors at Loyola discovered that Laura had a couple of rare lung infections. Because of these infections, Loyola has been holding off on putting her on the transplant list. It has proven to be difficult to get rid of theseinfections, however, Laura is on more oxygen and is pretty much homebound because she gets so out of breath when walking around (even with oxygen). Because of this, Loyola agrees that she has reached the point where being listed for a lung transplant would be the next best step for someone with her symptoms. However, because she still has these infections, a transplant is really risky and because of the risk, Loyola is still deciding if they will let Laura be on the list and if a transplant will be an option. For full details and to keep up to date on Laura, you can visit her CaringBridge website at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lauraredmond
In the meantime, Laura and John need your help. Laura's mobility is limited even with her oxygen, so this makes even the simplest of tasks extremely difficult such as going out to walk their dog, Cooper, or getting groceries. We are hoping to raise money to help with costs for a dog walking service, cleaning service, and food delivery service (i.e. Blue Apron) - these everyday tasks that we all take for granted. These funds will also help with Laura's ongoing medical costs. Even though both Laura and John work full time, we are hoping that the funds raised will allow them to spend more time together.
For those of you who don't know, Laura was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemis (ALL) in April of 2007 and received a stem cell transplant that September. She had been doing well after the transplant until in 2009, she was told she had developed a lung disease called graft vs host of the lungs. Laura remained stable for the next few years sparing the occasional lung infection. In January of 2014, Laura went to the doctors after noticing her breathing had become labored and tests determined her lung capacity had dropped by 20%.
Steriods and inhalers seemed to do the trick until returning to the doctors in July of 2014 to find out one of her lungs had partially collapsed. That fall Laura would have two more lung collapses, and would have two procedures to keep her lungs from collopsing in the future.
While Laura does not have to worry about lung collapse anymore, unfortunately her lung health has continued to deteriorate. In spring of 2015 it was determined Laura would need a lung transplant. In the pre-transplant work-up process doctors at Loyola discovered that Laura had a couple of rare lung infections. Because of these infections, Loyola has been holding off on putting her on the transplant list. It has proven to be difficult to get rid of theseinfections, however, Laura is on more oxygen and is pretty much homebound because she gets so out of breath when walking around (even with oxygen). Because of this, Loyola agrees that she has reached the point where being listed for a lung transplant would be the next best step for someone with her symptoms. However, because she still has these infections, a transplant is really risky and because of the risk, Loyola is still deciding if they will let Laura be on the list and if a transplant will be an option. For full details and to keep up to date on Laura, you can visit her CaringBridge website at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lauraredmond
In the meantime, Laura and John need your help. Laura's mobility is limited even with her oxygen, so this makes even the simplest of tasks extremely difficult such as going out to walk their dog, Cooper, or getting groceries. We are hoping to raise money to help with costs for a dog walking service, cleaning service, and food delivery service (i.e. Blue Apron) - these everyday tasks that we all take for granted. These funds will also help with Laura's ongoing medical costs. Even though both Laura and John work full time, we are hoping that the funds raised will allow them to spend more time together.
Organizer and beneficiary
Christina Beeman
Organizer
Chicago, IL
Laura Redmond
Beneficiary