Tia Waiting For Lungs At CHOP
Donation protected
Those of you who know Tia know that she has Cystic Fibrosis; she was diagnosed at birth and has struggled with this disease her entire life. Tia is a strong-willed, spunky young girl and was able to live a relatively normal life until about a year ago when she became very ill. She was admitted to Lehigh Valley Hospital and was placed in the ICU on a "high flow".
Tia went from a very vivacious and active little girl that was always in school, dance and swimming classes to being hooked up to oxygen full time. She was home full time and unable to go back to any of her previous activities. She was placed on the Pediatric Lung Transplant list at CHOP. Tia didn't complain though and made sure to keep up with her school work, too!
In February, Tia's school nurse, Dawn Schwenk, put together a fundraiser for Tia and her family called Taking Time for Tia. She helped raise $17,000 in donations and more had trickled in from other organizations to offset some of the costs involved with the wait and constant admissions to the hospital for her lung transplant.
On April 10th, the day before Tia's 12th Birthday, she was admitted to CHOP ICU for her declining health. She celebrated her birthday in the hospital with the cake she wanted from Carlo's Bakery and she was able to take a bite of that cake!
On April 14th a trach was placed in her throat to help her breathe; this was suggested so that when the transplant happened everything would be in place for a quick recovery.
Tia has struggled with this admission and is now on an ECMO heart-lung machine that pumps and oxygenates her blood; this machine is being used to bridge her to the transplant. Tia has been setting records and has continued to be the brave inspiration we all know and love. She is the first to use the treadmill on ECMO and she has walked the furthest on it at CHOP, too!
During this difficult time her family has been by her side to give support and comfort and unfortunately neither parent has been able to work for a month now. With the constant travel to and from CHOP and the meals, the expenses add up fast.
Tia walked into the hospital on April 10th and we were not expecting everything to progress so quickly. To offset some of these expesnses I'm asking for some help. While we have some money to offset the costs for the lung transplant, we need immediate money for their current stay in the hospital until Tia's new lungs arrive. Every dollar helps!
I am making this page for immediate assitance, however, I am looking to plan some fundraisers in the near future to help offset these costs as well. If anyone has any experience in fundraising or any ideas, please e-mail me at [email redacted]
As I'm sure donating is not possible for everyone, I ask that you please send prayers and positive vibes to Tia for her new lungs to arrive quickly.
Before Tia entered the hospital she expressed how much it meant to her to have a positive atmosphere. It would really mean a lot to her if you could send cards and/or balloons (not latex, sorry!) to keep her spirits lifted through this difficult time. Let's fill up those walls!! You can send things to CHOP 7 South.
Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!

Tia putting her star up at the Giving Kids the World Village in Florida.

Tia and her family in Disney for Make a Wish.

Tia and her sister, Dejha, on a trip in Philadelphia.

Tia and her family at the fundraiser Taking Time for Tia.
Tia went from a very vivacious and active little girl that was always in school, dance and swimming classes to being hooked up to oxygen full time. She was home full time and unable to go back to any of her previous activities. She was placed on the Pediatric Lung Transplant list at CHOP. Tia didn't complain though and made sure to keep up with her school work, too!
In February, Tia's school nurse, Dawn Schwenk, put together a fundraiser for Tia and her family called Taking Time for Tia. She helped raise $17,000 in donations and more had trickled in from other organizations to offset some of the costs involved with the wait and constant admissions to the hospital for her lung transplant.
On April 10th, the day before Tia's 12th Birthday, she was admitted to CHOP ICU for her declining health. She celebrated her birthday in the hospital with the cake she wanted from Carlo's Bakery and she was able to take a bite of that cake!
On April 14th a trach was placed in her throat to help her breathe; this was suggested so that when the transplant happened everything would be in place for a quick recovery.
Tia has struggled with this admission and is now on an ECMO heart-lung machine that pumps and oxygenates her blood; this machine is being used to bridge her to the transplant. Tia has been setting records and has continued to be the brave inspiration we all know and love. She is the first to use the treadmill on ECMO and she has walked the furthest on it at CHOP, too!
During this difficult time her family has been by her side to give support and comfort and unfortunately neither parent has been able to work for a month now. With the constant travel to and from CHOP and the meals, the expenses add up fast.
Tia walked into the hospital on April 10th and we were not expecting everything to progress so quickly. To offset some of these expesnses I'm asking for some help. While we have some money to offset the costs for the lung transplant, we need immediate money for their current stay in the hospital until Tia's new lungs arrive. Every dollar helps!
I am making this page for immediate assitance, however, I am looking to plan some fundraisers in the near future to help offset these costs as well. If anyone has any experience in fundraising or any ideas, please e-mail me at [email redacted]
As I'm sure donating is not possible for everyone, I ask that you please send prayers and positive vibes to Tia for her new lungs to arrive quickly.
Before Tia entered the hospital she expressed how much it meant to her to have a positive atmosphere. It would really mean a lot to her if you could send cards and/or balloons (not latex, sorry!) to keep her spirits lifted through this difficult time. Let's fill up those walls!! You can send things to CHOP 7 South.
Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!
Tia putting her star up at the Giving Kids the World Village in Florida.
Tia and her family in Disney for Make a Wish.
Tia and her sister, Dejha, on a trip in Philadelphia.
Tia and her family at the fundraiser Taking Time for Tia.
Organiser and beneficiary
Veronica Tucci
Organiser
Topton, PA
Karen Beadencup
Beneficiary