April 9, 2018
It's been one year since my transplant, so hard to believe! I want to thank everyone for their love and prayers, and the support I have received through this entire process.
I gradually came back to full-time work last Fall. I still work, in part, from home. but it was great to be "mask-free" on Easter Sunday!
God bless all of you! And as always, please pray for my donor and family.
Karen
June 28, 2017
Karen would like to send her thanks to everyone who helped with the concert. This is a long list: Thanks for onsite help to: Edwin and Cheryl Capuyen, Tom and Lillian Lothamer, Mike and Denise Harrigan and sons, Sylvia Kratzman, Thom Ensley, Tim Davis, Bob and Liane Carroll, Bob Mondok, Darlene Simpson, Carolyn Tyndall, Sam Ensley, and Paul Ensley. Cookie salespersons included Claire and Sean Myers; Anne, Catherine, Laura, and Mary Carroll, and Gianna Barry.
Cookie Bakers included: Sue Forte, Sarah Robinson, Mary Hitchens, Marcy Watts, Cathy Richardson, Martha Berghoff, Jared Hoy, Becky Silkworth, Lillian Lothamer, Mary Beth Linn, Becky Barry, Pam McGraw, Mary and Catherine Carroll, Susan Ensley.
Singers were: Mitch, Mary, Sean, and Abby Black; Emily and Brendan Harrigan; Mike, Gloria, Amanda, and Katie Kohrman; Marie and Molly Lothamer; Ian, Christy, and Bianca Capuyen; Jesse Martinez; Jamie Black, Carol Sarasien, and Isaac Jinks.
Musicians included: Jeremy Hoy, Mitch Black, Emily Mondok, Beth Spangler, Brad and Angela Braun, Susan Ensley, Jared Hoy, Keith Heiman, Noah Miller, Hannah Janssen, Pete Lorenger, and Scott Nist.
Please forgive me (and send me a correction!) if I forgot anyone or misspelled anyone's name.
We are all very grateful to the helpers and attendees of this highly successful event. Thanks to all!
June 28, 2017
The Night of Hope concert was a HUGE success!!! We raised more than $8000 in cash and checks plus about $1100 in electronic donations. And $800 of that total was from COOKIE SALES!! Can you believe it? Karen is SO THANKFUL at the outpouring of generosity from our parish.
June 13, 2017
Karen is doing great! She attended her first staff meeting a few days ago. She was able to go down a flight of steps to get there! She had had a couple of set backs that she has overcome. She has been attending Sunday Mass sitting in the chapel. Hopefully not critiquing our music without her!
May 12, 2017
Karen achieved a milestone today! She was able to go all the way upstairs today. She reports that she had a GREAT day today. She is making leaps and bounds progress. She is looking forward to being able to do this on a regular basis. Go Karen!
May 12, 2017
The Heartwarming Bake Sale was a huge success! Thank you so much to Jared Hoy, Susie Frazier, and Melanie Hiney who organized this sale. Thanks also to the second grade parents who baked such delicious treats. And thanks to Sister Genevieve who did so much behind the scenes work to make our bake sale a success. We raised nearly $900!
April 21, 2017
Karen is home and doing great! She is working hard at physical therapy and doing liturgy planning from home. Cynthia and Tom are taking good care of her. We are thrilled with her progress!
April 11, 2017
Karen is doing great! She had her first heart biopsy and it came back great -- her body so far is accepting the heart. Yay! At this point she is scheduled to come home FRIDAY!! The doctor says she is doing "too good" for rehab. How is that for answers to our prayers?
April 3, 2017
Updates will be coming SOON about her concert fundraiser, school bake sale, and restaurant nights. Keep checking back!
April 3, 2017
Karen's heart transplant was successful! She has made it through the first critical 24-48 hours. Prayers and donations are appreciated!
April 3, 2017
Karen Hope’s life was recently thrown into upheaval when she was hospitalized with cardiomyopathy. She was diagnosed with end stage heart failure, and a heart transplant was her only hope for survival. Karen’s transplant occurred March 31, but she still needs our help. The cost of a transplant can be overwhelming.
You may know Karen from St. Charles Church, where she’s directed music and liturgy for 34 years. Karen has shared her gifts with members of the parish every Sunday and at the most meaningful moments of our lives, rejoicing at our weddings and grieving with us at funerals. Or you may know Karen through the children she fostered and adopted, Cynthia and Tom. Karen’s life has been one of generosity.
After many years of helping others, Karen is now the one who needs our generosity. Transplants are life saving but financially draining. Even with insurance, Karen is facing very high expenses including copays, expensive medications, rehabilitation, and possibly care in her home after the transplant. Costs could top $20,000.
