Anyone who knows Susie will tell you she's one of the most outgoing, kind, generous and quick witted people you'll ever meet. She and her husband James are currently attending the Sherman College of Chiropractic here in Spartanburg, SC. They have hopes of opening their own practice and fulfilling their dream of helping others. She is a mother of 4 amazing kids, Samantha, Blake, Solana and Elijah and Grandmother to 4 even more amazing Grandkids :) , Marlin, Dean, Samuel and Evelyn. She is set to graduate Chiropractic School December 2020 and James in June of 2020. This past month Susie was rushed to the hospital for severe abdominal pain. Doctors determined she is suffering from Hemochromatosis, a rare genetic condition where there is a mutation in one or both genes (Susie has a "heterozygos mutation" meaning there is a mutation in one of the two. With this disease the body stores virtually all of the iron that comes into the body- left untreated, high levels of iron deposit into vital organs and can cause them to fail~ this is exactly what Susie is dealing with, unfortunately the hemachromatosis causing extremely high iron levels went undetected for too long (2 1/2 years) and caused damage to her liver, kidney and thyroid-- the worst being the liver. Doctors are doing everything they can to ensure her future health. The ultimate conclusion however, is that she will need a liver transplant in order to beat this. One of the biggest hardships of being severely ill is the financial toll it takes on your family. Because of her condition she is bed ridden and needs constant care. She is unable to attend school and therefore no longer has a steady income. The financial loss is now on her husband and family to compensate for. She and James will be forced to commute between their home in Moore, SC to Charleston, SC. Charleston is home to The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Doctors here will go forth with the screening process for becoming a organ transplant candidate. This is a long and arduous process. They will pay out of pocket for all travel expenses including gas, hotels, food, prescription co-pays and any additional medical equipment she may need just to get around on a daily basis. Those of you who know Susie and James, know they are not ones to ask for help. They are the type of people to help others even if it means taking away from themselves. Susie is nothing short of a fighter. She has fire in her soul and the will to fight this head and with every ounce of her being. Any and all donations are appreciated. Those who are unable to donate please know that kind words/thoughts are just as valuable. 
-Susie


** UPDATE**
Susie completed her cardiology battery of tests yesterday (1/20) and passed with flying colors!! This puts her one step closer to her transplant. Meeting with the Transplant Coordinator and Transplant Team of Doctors on Friday at MUSC in Charleston, all well wishes, love and prayers gratefully accepted!