Kari was born 47 year ago in Kalispell. She is a lifelong resident of the Flathead Valley. The youngest of seven children, she was diagnosed at the age of ten with Juvenile Diabetes and has been insulin dependent since.
At the age of just 37, Kari had a heart attack that put another strain on her overall health. Since receiving a diagnosis of End Stage Renal Failure three years ago, Kari has been doing peritoneal dialysis at home. Kari is now on the list at The University of Washington in Seattle for a kidney/pancreas transplant.
Although her health has hindered several areas of her life, Kari still manages to smile and bring light to those around her. She is always positive and looks forward with hope into the future. Kari is devoted to her five children and six grandchildren. She is unable to work but volunteers as a Sunday School teacher at her church.
I am writing to you because the support of family, friends and the community is crucial to help ensure a successful ending to this story. Even with private health insurance, Kari is faced with significant transplant related expenses. Her out-of-pocket expenses include co-pays and deductibles, doctor visits, travel and relocation to Seattle for the transplant and the costly immunosuppressant medications she will have to take for the rest of her life.
To help with this financial burden, a fundraising campaign in Kari’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Northwest Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.On behalf of my entire family, thank you.
Ashlee Galassi (Kari’s daughter)
406-390-0042
