Kathleen (Kathy) Ann Houchins

Fort Walton Beach, FL

Southeast Transplant Fund

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Help Hope Live

Note in memo:
In honor of Kathleen (Kathy) Ann Houchins

Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087

Donor preference is important to us. Please specify in writing if you wish for your name or donation amount to be kept private.

Kathy Houchins is our friend as part of our Twisted Sisters girlfriend’s group…well she is more than that, she is EVERYBODY’s friend!

When she came to Fort Walton Beach on vacation with her husband Ivan, they knew this would be their permanent home. After moving to Fort Walton Beach, she immediately involved herself in the community by enthusiastically stepping into leadership roles. In 2008 she became Chair of the Board of Directors for the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Tragically in 2010, Kathy lost Ivan, the love of her life, to cancer. She pulled herself together by involving herself even deeper in the community. She served as Chair of the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council, President of American Business Women’s Association, Chaired the board for Community Solutions for the Homeless, served on the board for the White Wilson Medical Community Foundation, and Jobs4U. Even now, with all she is going through. she is a board member of United for a Good Cause, Inc., and was instrumental in helping bring the HOPE Squad Suicide Prevention Program to Okaloosa County Schools.

KATHY IS A GIVER.
SHE HAS NEVER MET A STRANGER AND GREETS EVERYONE WITH A WARM SMILE.
NOW HER COMMUNITY NEEDS TO RETURN THE SUPPORT SHE HAS PROVIDED IN THE PAST!

In the Spring of 2014 Kathy was diagnosed with Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease. With determination, she did everything she could to maintain her health, but in 2018, her health took a turn for the worst. She watched her kidney function numbers decrease rapidly and by January of 2019, she was in full renal failure and preparing to go on dialysis permanently.
In spite of receiving such devastating news, Kathy’s positive attitude coupled with endless hours of research, led her to choose to get a peritoneal catheter. This approach would enable her to do the dialysis at home during the night while she slept, and her lifestyle would not be as severely impacted. She went into surgery last February (2019) believing all would go as she planned.

Unfortunately, it did not! After FIVE surgeries, the plan had to change and by May 2019 she was at the dialysis center on hemodialysis twice a week and recovering from the treatment for two more days a week. HER LIFE CHANGED FOREVER. During this time, her friends watched a once vibrant, energetic woman sink into a deep dark place. The rug had been pulled out from under her, and she suddenly understood how someone could consider taking their own life.

It took another year before Kathy would settle into a routine. She once again found her spirit and created a fun and inspirational podcast called “Gutsy Ole Broads,” all the while still tethered to dialysis. In June of 2020, she received a call that would again change her life. An angel came forward to get tested as a potential kidney donor. God is good – that person was a perfect match. So, on April 27, 2021, with community support to raise the funds needed, KATHY WILL RECEIVE A NEW KIDNEY…A CHANCE AT LIVING A FULL, UNTETHERED LIFE AGAIN. Kathy NEEDS OUR HELP TO RAISE $30,000 BEFORE THEY WILL DO THE SURGERY. Will you step up and help Kathy?

Family and friends of Kathleen Houchins are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with transplantation.

Kathleen has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!

August 21, 2024

ON JULY 26, 2022 I received a kidney transplant!!!! It has been successful and I have now celebrated the 2nd anniversary. It is amazing and I "HAVE MY LIFE BACK." A "mega thank you" goes out to all who prayed for me, supported me along the way, and who were always there with a warm hug and big smile whenever I met with them. THANK YOU!!!!

January 29, 2022

Jan 29, 2022 - Sorry for the delay in updating you on what is happening here. I suffered a major heart attack on Sept. 3, 2021 and a week later underwent quad open-heart surgery. The recovery has been long but coming along very well. During this situation, I was removed from the transplant list for obvious reasons, (I was not available to receive a kidney). I am now being retested to make sure I am able to withstand the surgery and take care of the gift of life being given to me by my living donor Christine. I will visit with transplant surgeons on April 4 and 5th at Gainesville (Shands) Hospital and then they will review all the tests and make a determination at that time if I can be placed back on the list. Once that happens we could expect a surgery date sometime in May, 2022. I thank all of you for your support and good wishes and above all.... your prayers. I will update again once I have more info. Take care and let's make 2022 a fabulous year!!

March 17, 2021

YIPPEE.... a date has been scheduled for the transplant surgery. The donor - Christine Albert will be going to Gainesville (Shands Hospital) for the extraction on April 27th and Kathy will be going to Sacred Heart (Ascension Hospital) in Pensacola where she will receive the kidney once it arrives from Gainesville. We have a couple more fundraisers to get through before the surgery so please keep an eye out for that info. Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive along the way. We are nearing completion of the wait journey and now face the recovery adventure.

October 24, 2020

Keep checking as new updates are added just about once a month.

October 24, 2020

Just a quick note to thank everyone for their support and thoughtfulness during our Online Auction held Oct. 10 and the weekend give-away donated by Dena Critch and Callie Gardner. Both were fabulous successes and we just about reached the half way mark to attaining our original goal of $38,000.

We are planning another fundraiser - a "DRAW DOWN" and will be posting the details shortly. We are in the process of laying out the details.. Should be a great night of fun so MARK YOUR CALENDARS for NOV. 19th!!!

My new Donor - Christine has almost completed all her tests to be done at the Sacred Heart Transplant Center in Pensacola and will be recommended to the transplant team at Shands in Gainesville, Fl. She will have to go to Shands to undergo a serious of tests there and will meet with the transplant team at that hospital. Once they approve her as a good match they will schedule the surgery and then we will be flying high as I go to Penscola Sacred Heart Hospital to receive her kidney. Keep Christine in your prayers and that all the tests go great and smoothly.

I will keep you updated as I go and I will also be doing a podcast that will launch shortly with the latest and greatest. I hope to be able to help those who don't have any idea about fundraising for a medical expenses and will be sharing what I have done in the hopes that it will bring some ideas to them on how to do it.

Thank you everyone again.. for all your support and thoughtfulness. I am forever grateful to all of you and you hold a special place in my heart.

Love to all,

Kathy

September 29, 2020

Sept. 29, 2020 - Just a note to everyone.... today another angel stepped forward to donate a kidney to me. That angel is Christine Albert and no amount of words can express how deeply grateful I am to this incredibly generous woman. Next we begin to plan the transplant so stay tuned for more updates.

August 18, 2020

We recently have dealt with the loss of our kidney donor due to domestic violence. We are again searching for someone to step forward and provide the gift of life to Kathy. Several people have said they are contacting the kidney transplant center in Pensacola to find out what they must do to be tested to see if they are a match. That is the best way anyone who is interested in donating a kidney to find out the facts. Their contact information is:

Sacred Heart Transplant Center - Pensacola - (850) 416-1080 and ask for Beth (the donor advocate). Please consider the possibility of donating (if you are able to). It would mean the world to Kathy to have a new lease on life. Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated.

Please look on this site often as we have some upcoming events; online virtual auction to be held Oct 10th and some additional activities to be announced soon.

Thank you to everyone for your interest and assistance. All help is greatly appreciated.

October 1, 2020

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April 30, 2021

God Bless

James Foss

April 26, 2021

You\'re in my thoughts this week. May your surgery go well on the 27th.

Johnny Edwards

March 30, 2021

I wish you the best of luck on your surgery and can\'t wait to see you dancing on the tables again!

Aminta Montanez

October 12, 2020

Hugs and Prayers

Susie Clifton

October 10, 2020

Just a little more to help the cause. Love you.

Melanie Burton

October 7, 2020

Wishing Kathy all the best!!

Ginny Alexander

October 7, 2020

We Love You Kathy! Hugs and Prayers ALWAYS!!

Trisha Marks

October 7, 2020

Please help give life to this person and especially pray for her recovery.

Harry Gates

October 7, 2020

Praying for a health donor, a successful transplant and continued health. Asking for prayers from all because God answers prayers, especially when two or more gather in his name.

Harry Gatees

October 6, 2020

In memory of Vickie Edge... sending good thoughts, prayers, and best wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

Lisa Smith

October 6, 2020

Happy Birthday Melissa Hines, a little present in your name!!!

Jay Wachsmuth

October 5, 2020

This donation is being made in honor of Vickie by friends and family who loved you both and knew that her last wish was to help you find another donor and she did just that! We love you wish you our best.

Peggy Brockman

September 27, 2020

Our prayers and support are with you!

Anonymous

September 21, 2020

Please help Kathy
Donate to help get Kathy well again.
You could be the winner of a fun weekend.

Karen Burke

September 12, 2020

Support this effort to help Kathy, a wonderful and caring human being.

David Triana

September 11, 2020

Kathy, here is hoping that everything goes well, and you get well soon. Miss our little office talks we used to have.

Ronald Bunker

July 31, 2020

Kathy, you are an inspiration to all women! I greatly admire your spunk and the loving way you treat all people. You are loved and blessed.

Ann Schilling

July 26, 2020

Reaching out to others to support Kathy Ann Houchins. She is a very special person that has always put others ahead of herself and has been a supportive friend to me. Now she needs us to put her first. Thanks for donating to her campaign. We need her around a long, long time to continue her work for others.

Nancy Evans

July 23, 2020

You got this Kathy! God is great, all the time!

Donna Tashik

July 23, 2020

For my cousin, Kathy, praying for 100% success for your upcoming surgery. You can do this, you will do this, you will shine. I love you.

Pamela Shadlich

July 16, 2020

You got this!

Susie Clifton

July 16, 2020

You can beat this !!!! prayers for you.

nitsi Bennett

July 15, 2020

God is good! You're going to rock this Kathy :)

Heather Ruiz

July 15, 2020

love and prayers Kathy!

Sherry Rushing

July 14, 2020

Anonymous

July 14, 2020

Praying for you.

Christina Lapnawan

July 8, 2020

We are there for you Kathy. Your friends will make this happen.

Vickie Warner

July 8, 2020

We are off and running girlfriend! Soon you will be back to your old sassy self and ready to travel and live life to it\'s fullest again. Love you!

Peggy Brockman

July 7, 2020

Kathy, you are a true inspiration to us all. You're one of the strongest people I've ever known. I can't wait to give you a big hug when your on the other side of this thing. Till then I'll be sending all my best wishes your way!

Anonymous

July 6, 2020

My prayers are with you for restored good health with a new kidney. Best of luck with this fundraiser. I know everyone will want to support you as you have supported folks in our community.

Love you, Jeanne Rief

Jeanne Rief

July 6, 2020

I wish I could do more but this darn virus has left me unemployed. Thinking good thoughts for you! Cecilia

Cecilia Freeman

July 5, 2020

We love you!

Samantha Sullivan

Mail a Check

Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live

Note in memo:
In honor of Kathleen (Kathy) Ann Houchins

Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087

Donor preference is important to us. Please specify in writing if you wish for your name or donation amount to be kept private.

Kathy Houchins is our friend as part of our Twisted Sisters girlfriend’s group…well she is more than that, she is EVERYBODY’s friend!

Updates (7)

August 21, 2024

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