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If you were to meet Biskin Lee, within an instant you would know she is a force of nature. She is compelling, and has every right to be – her life has been a great struggle, but with many hard-earned triumphs, and even more love. Case in point, there are simply not many people who can go through a myriad of cardiac procedures while attending the University of California, Berkeley on full academic scholarship, still graduate with High Honours, and keep her doctors and family laughing through it all. Regrettably, however, in the world of failing organs, sheer willpower and determination will only get you so far.
Biskin was born with a variety of different heart problems. Then, in 1994 she had emergency open-heart surgery at Oakland Children’s Hospital. Unfortunately, as can happen, numerous mistakes were made by her surgical team, and she had a series of heart attacks which left massive scarring along the walls of her heart. It then reacted as hearts do after such events, and grew larger and larger trying to compensate for the scarred heart tissues. Biskin’s large heart wasn’t just a physical characteristic, though; she forgave her surgical team and moved forward with her life, grateful for her care, and knowing that without the efforts of her doctors, she wouldn’t be alive.
After coasting through what’s known in the medical world as the “Honeymoon Period,” post heart-attack, Biskin collapsed in 2004. She then spent the next 9 years in and out of hospitals, all while continuing her studies. On June 30, 2013 she went to the emergency room at UCSF because she was continuously fainting with even the most mild of exertions, such as standing up. Her cardiologist decided she needed a left Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) implanted immediately, and on July 3, 2013 that is exactly what happened. And just in time – the entire bottom peak (apex) of her heart was calcified and was overall just “big and floppy”, to quote her cardiologist. Not what a girl wants to hear about any part of her body, let alone her heart!
Right now Biskin is fighting to getting back on her feet and ready for the next step: a heart transplant. Hopefully the transplant will happen within four to nine months, so while the VAD keeps her alive and her body attempts to prepare for its next great challenge, we can help her with the upcoming enormous financial burden.
So, to do this, we have established a fundraising campaign in Biskin’s honor through HelpHOPELive. They are a nonprofit organization that assists those who need, or who have had, transplants by covering medical costs that insurance doesn’t. Your donations to this fund are tax deductable and will be held and administered by the HelpHOPELive Southwest Heart Transplant Fund for transplant-related expenses only.
Biskin wants very much to continue expanding her invisible disabilities awareness campaign, finish her masters degree, obtain a PhD, go on to teach philosophy, play with her future nieces and nephews, enjoy her friends, family and darling puppers Ferdinand, and take a turn caring for her parents as they age. Let’s help make that happen!
Make checks payable to:
HelpHOPELive
Note in memo section:
In Honor of Biskin Lee
Mail to:
HelpHOPELive
Two Radnor Corporate Center
100 Matsonford Road, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087
For secure credit card donations:
Call 800.642.8399 or click the “DONATE NOW” button.
Donations-in-kind may be made by contacting BiskinHeart@gmail.com.
Biskin and her family greatly appreciate all your love and positive thoughts. Your support and contributions will help Biskin survive this unbelievable challenge, and return to her productive life as soon as possible.
With love and hope,
The Lee Family and Friends
I am pleased to report that things are going well! I went hang-gliding for my one year anniversary, and it was magical. The struggle with food continues, and the side-effects are ridiculous. I am still not nearly as physically fit as I thought I would be, but everyone's journey through this is different. Thank you so much for your continued support! I just cannot say that enough. Thank you thank you thank you. This would not have happened without each and everyone of you.
Hello! Until recently Biskin has been the posterchild for Cedars-Sinai heart transplant! We are so ever grateful for all your support. She has had no rejection at all. The challenges have all been around the anti-rejection medications. The side effects have been brutal. But she has been slowly weaned down to lower doses and suffering much less. She was able to move back home, start ballet, hike with her dogs and enjoy visits with friends!
Sadly, her gastrointestinal system has begun a serious deterioration. She is close to 30 pounds underweight as she cannot hold food down, nor does she seem to really digest it. Yesterday she returned to Cedars and is seeing a gastro specialist today. We really hope for an easy solution with a quick return to home.
Her journey is far from over though, so I ask you to please share this fund raising site with all you know. Her sister no longer lives in Southern California so the hotel bills are overwhelming, and she still must travel back and forth at least every other month for follow-up and heart biopsies.
Many Blessings from a Grateful Mother
March 4, 2016: Biskin's new heart day!!
It has been a magnificent whirlwind at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. A very successful plasmaphoerisis treatment brought Biskin's rejection rate to zero and she was offered a heart that was an excellent match!
She has already been moved out of the ICU and into her favorite room on the cardiac floor.
Today is the first of many heart biopsies to test for any rejection. Day by day she is walking through this with amazing strength, grace and of course her incredible sense of humor.
On behalf of Biskin and her family I extend our deepest gratitude for all your support. It is making this possible - especially as we had to move her to LA!
Hello All,
We have some new developments that are bringing a renewed sense of hope. As some of you know Biskin’s rejection rate ended up being 93% due to multiple blood transfusions. Her beloved cardiologist was very frank with her and said the chance of a heart from UCSF is nil. He also went to Cedars-Sinai to look into a desensitization program and clinical trial that he thought would be a good fit. They are. We went down for the initial interview process and transplant team required testing and as of Friday they have accepted her.
We are now in Camarillo with Biskin’s sister, Bree and her family. She lives about an hour and a half away from Cedars. We are waiting on insurance go ahead, but the hope is a Monday start. The first part of the process is a 10 day to 2 week hospital stay where she will be undergoing a combination of plasmapheresis, which will remove the antibodies, and a chemo therapy, which will prevent them from rebuilding. This desensitization will last about 6 months, at which point she will have to do it all again. But they are very positive about her receiving a heart by then! Hopefully she will tolerate it all well. So all your strong, loving thought and prayers and energy are more than welcome! Your support is something I am ever grateful for.
In Hope,
Blythe (Biskin's mom)
So amazed and blessed! Thank you all for the support. We can do this!!
I am now active on the transplant list at UCSF!! So here we go! I appreciate your continued support through this exciting and slightly terrifying next step.
Had my three month checkup today and I am doing great! This left VAD is going to make my transplantation process so much better, and my recovery way easier. Couldn't be happier about the choices my team and I have made!
The Heartness Gala
Friends of mine are putting on a fundraiser, so please come on down! There will be beer, silent auction items to bid on, really good company. Please join us if you can.
http://facebook.com/events/1398500013700092/
Great News!
We have really great news. Since my VAD is a a bridge to transplant therapy, the funds you donate now can be used for much needed current medical expenses, such as bandage supplies for the wire exit site in my rib cage! Since those supplies run around three to four hundred dollars a month, this is wonderful news.
So thank you so much for donating, it is already making a difference in my life. I could not do this without all the amazing support I am receiving. I am blessed beyond ability to express.
Much love.
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Woo hoo! Glad to hear of your progress! You and I have the same donor.... My new lungs are fabulous! Still getting use to everthing! God luck and many blessings
Lisa ferrare
Hi Honey you are always in my prayers , we think of you often and love you dearly.
Tracy, Autumn, Jacob.
Tracy Hansen
Much hope and love to you!
Hannah Woody
Hey there Biskin!! I have tried to find you on FB but haven't been successful:-( So, I'm under Francine Artzer-Jones of Janesville, CA, please find me!! You were such a pleasure and joy to meet and I feel blessed that our paths crossed!
Francine Jones
Dear Biskin,
What a pleasure it was for me to see you grow from childhood into the magnificent woman you are today. Kellie and think of you often and look forward, with tremendous anticipation, to the next chance to visit with you.
Hugs and lots of love from 2 people who admire you greatly (1 of those 2 has admired you for a very long time) :-)
Casey & Kellie Jones
"Casey" Charles W Jones Jr.
Love you Sweet Bissie! Praying! Mike,Sherri, Chara and Charity
Sherri Dotten
We are holding you up in prayer Biskin with much love...Deb (Peters) Mittmann xoxoxoxo
Deb Mittmann
Dear Biskin, sending love from Nepal and best support I can till I see you! Donna
Donna Bach
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Biskin Coral Lee
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.
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