My name is Shawna Johnson.

I am forty-five years old and a mother to two beautiful daughters, Tori, age 23 and Tiffany, age 16. I am also a daughter, a sister, a friend, and a loving partner to one of the most supportive man I will ever know. Unfortunately, I was born with cystic fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that impairs normal respiratory and digestive functions making the simple acts of breathing and eating a challenge.

At my visit to the Cleveland Clinic in October 2011, I was told that now would be a good time to begin the lung transplant process. The medical staff also told me that because of my disease and my declining health, I would be an excellent candidate for a double-lung transplant. While this option is truly a miracle, the medical costs are extremely high. In addition, I will have many uninsured expenses such as: co-pays and deductibles, doctor visits and the costly immunosuppressant medications that I will need to take for the rest of my life.