Friends and Family,
Life with Cystic Fibrosis hasn’t ever been predictable or easy, but it has been good!

After a 4-day evaluation with Stanford’s Health’s Lung Transplant Team, I have received “official word” that I will be listed for a double lung transplant. My health is getting serious now and my genetic illness is now medically referred to as “end-stage Cystic Fibrosis.”

In September 2016 I had a massive bleed in my lungs (hemoptysis) and simultaneously learned I had a very large aneurysm. I was transported by ambulance from Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara to USC in LA for an embolization procedure in which the team embolized the aneurysm and several other bronchial arteries. After this particular procedure I faced a hard and long recovery but eventually made it back to my full-time job, hiking in nearby hills, paddle boarding and enjoying life. Following that procedure things seemed to resolve for some time.

The hemoptysis returned and has been doing so with more frequency since the beginning of 2018. I have had three bouts of what is considered “massive hemoptysis” this year each followed by an embolization procedure. In between these big bouts I’ve had notable smaller bouts of hemoptysis more than 19 times this year. Embolizations are an effective treatment that temporarily stops the bleeding, but are a short-term solution. Following multiple massive hemoptysis events the prognosis is not good w 50% survival rate for future such events.

Each of the four times I’ve had a massive bleed followed by an embolization procedure, I worked to regain my strength with the end-goal of going back to work full-time. After my most recent embolization, I made the hard decision to go on short-term disability and I now have decided to embrace my medical reality and will apply for long-term Social Security disability. My health is now my number one priority.

My current quality of life is no longer considered acceptable, medically or personally.

As I mentioned earlier, I will be listed for a transplant at Stanford and this is what brings me to Help Hope Live. While I will be covered by insurance for the surgery, there will be many uncovered medical expenses. I will need to raise funds to help with unmet medical expenses.

Some of those funds will support travel to my appointments, temporary relocation, anti-rejection medication, co-pays, caregiver, physical therapy and so much more. Though it is unknown exactly when I will be called for transplant, the time is now to begin to ask friends, family, coworkers for support.

Donations to Help Hope Live in my (Kay’s) honor, will help ease the financial burden of the transplant and allow me to focus on staying strong for the transplant and preparing for a healthy recovery.

I have chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility to the full extent allowed by law 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. And please consider sharing this link with others so they may donate as well.

Thank you for your support!

For Checks:
Make checks payable to: Help Hope Live
Note in memo section: In honor of Kay Wharton

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

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