This campaign is a call to action for friends, family, acquaintances, and anyone else inspired to anonymously help carry some of the weight borne by this extraordinary woman and her remarkable family. The funding goal represents four months of lost income, and funds needed to maintain their primary home, two children in college, and temporary housing and transplant-related transportation.

Annie is a medical miracle and living proof of the power of love and prayer. Annie’s story inspires us to give more, love better, listen more closely, and pause to relish family and friends. 

Here's Annie's story.

Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis as a toddler, Annie was given four years to live. Today, at age 50, Annie’s life resembles many of ours.  She graduated from college, began a teaching career, and married.  Annie and her husband, Jimmy, were one of the first couples at a CF clinic to be tested for planned pregnancy. Annie and Jimmy have raised two terrific children, and recently celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary. Annie is active in her church and community.  She enjoys many hobbies, and, until recently, was one of the primary caregivers for her ailing father. In addition to the hustle, bustle and challenges of everyday life, however, Annie and her family experience the physical and emotional pain, persistent stress, and financial strain unavoidable with chronic illness. 


Advances in Cystic Fibrosis treatments extended Annie’s life into her early thirties, and her participation and compliance as a patient, in turn, helped to advance this science.  By age 36, Cystic Fibrosis had compromised Annie’s lungs to the point that she needed a double lung transplant.  Four months after that successful surgery near her home in Washington State, Annie’s small bowel and colon were destroyed by a rare blood clotting disorder, and these organs were removed to save her life. During this crisis, Annie’s life was repeatedly threatened, first by sepsis, then a stroke, and finally by compartment syndrome, which required that her shin muscles be removed.  Without a small bowel, Annie was no longer able to eat, and she was debilitated by unrelenting nausea. Despite having no quality of life and no clear path forward, Annie chose to continue to fight for her life; and when she could not speak for herself, her devoted husband championed her will to live every single step through this journey.


After four excruciating months of being kept alive by intravenous nutrition, Annie met a new, local doctor who knew of a gifted surgeon doing small bowel transplants in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Annie and Jimmy left their children with family and relocated to Pittsburgh for this one and only chance to extend Annie's life.  Five months later, the Pittsburgh surgeon accomplished the near impossible by restoring Annie’s digestive tract with a small bowel and pancreas transplant.  Later, when asked if her faith in God wavered during the isolation of that continuous suffering, Annie replied “No, I was never alone. God was with me all the time, comforting and carrying me." 

Post-transplants, Annie's life slowly returned to her version of normal. She returned to teaching, earned a Special Ed certification, raised her kids, made memories with family and friends, and created a gallery of classic-patterned quilts. In addition to collecting fabric for her quilts, Annie is a collector of people. Her gift is making everyone she encounters feel valued, and she talks comfortably with anyone, regardless of their situation.   Annie feels personally committed to helping those with less and willingly gives her time to do so.


Annie’s organ anti-rejection medications are both life-sustaining and life-draining. While helping to extend her life to age 50, this toxic cocktail has slowly caused irreparable damage to her kidneys. This past year, as her kidney functions declined, Annie endured the most physically painful experience of her life.  Calciphylaxis is a cruel and usually fatal condition whereby blood vessels and skin throughout the legs literally turn to stone from excess deposits of calcium that the kidneys cannot filter from the blood. During recovery from calciphylaxis, Annie began experiencing life-threatening bouts of metabolic acidosis, with her blood becoming too acidic. 

Currently, Annie is critically ill.  Less than a week ago, she underwent emergency surgery to remove a clot nearly the volume of a liter that was causing intense abdomen pain. At this point, she is in complete renal failure.  Dialysis is helping sustain her kidneys until a donor is found.  Annie’s sister and a string of friends are queuing up to offer this gift.


Annie and Jimmy are once again temporarily relocating; this time to Cleveland, Ohio, to be under the care of the same courageous transplant surgeon who performed her life saving small bowel transplant and to await a kidney transplant. 

Funds raised with this campaign are automatically transferred to a special bank account accessible only by Katherine "Katie" Hasz (Annie's sister, potential kidney donor, and Power of Attorney), Annie and Jimmy. This provides the greatest flexibility for their family to manage household and medical expenses during this emergency.

 Annie is a wonder of energy, optimism, and joy who lives her life purposefully. She and Jimmy are a love story like few others. Their relationship is beautiful to behold.   Annie’s work on this earth is far from complete. To be touched directly or indirectly by Annie’s life leaves an indelible mark. Be touched. Be part of this miracle.

Thank you and God bless.

#gofundtransplantgirl