Jeannie's Heart Reconstruction
Regina "Jeannie" Minturn retired from teaching kindergarten after more than 47 years. She has taught children in America as well as Ethiopia. While there, she befriended a family and sponsored their immigration into the United States, where they still live today.
She has dedicated her life to helping little ones start down the right path, she has given selflessly to her church, to her community, and to her family throughout her entire life. She has always been a guiding light to those who have had the pleasure of knowing her -- now she needs our help.
After a couple of years of keeping an eye on a heart issue, Jeannie and her doctors scheduled a heart-valve replacement surgery for Sept. 9, 2018 at Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Shawnee Kansas. The first surgery went well, but after spending some time recovering, doctors noticed an abscess developing on her heart, requiring heart-reconstruction surgery.
After discussing options with her medical team, they have decided the best course of action is for Jeannie to fly to the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland Ohio to have the abcess removed by a more specialized team of surgeons. A surgery that, we have been told, has a 50-50 chance of survival.
But, without this surgery, Jeannie WILL die.
Jeannie's Medicare insurance refused to pay for the medical flight because it is transportation, and not treatment, resulting in her family racking up an enormous credit card bill. The initial flight was quoted at $22,000 one-way, but the AMAZING people at Angel MedFlight offered us the same flight at $14,600 -- an offer we could not refuse. (Thank you so much Angel MedFlight!!!)
Jeannie has made it safely to Cleveland, but she has a long, scary road ahead of her. We are waiting for Cleveland to finalize her second surgery date.
God willing, this fundraiser will help the family pay for the initial flight to Cleveland, costs for her stay in Cleveland while she recovers from her second heart surgery, and a return medical flight home!
We are asking that you help however you can. Anything you can give will go toward Jeannie's treatment and transportation to Cleveland and back home. Every single penny is greatly appreciated.
Money aside, everyone can help. Every thought, prayer, good vibe, positive energy, good luck, etc. etc. etc. is appreciated. This surgery is necessary to save Jeannie's life and we need all of the positivity we can get!
Also, Share! Share! Share!
Thank you everyone!