Breathing is something most of us take for granted. I know I did. But when your lungs do not provide the air you need, your body becomes paralyzed and you can’t move. Some of you know that I have Lupus. Over 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease and 2 years ago was diagnosed with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). I am on oxygen full time, am no longer able to work and do many everyday activities I have always been able to do. My doctors at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center have told me that my only option now is a life-saving double lung transplant.
I do have medical insurance but there are many expenses that insurance does not cover. Some of these are co-pays, deductibles, travel expenses for pre- and post-surgery evaluations, as well as considerable expenses with the need to stay in Pittsburgh prior to surgery and during the recovery period. I do not have the resources to cover these expenses. This is where your help is desperately needed.
To help ease the financial burden, a fundraising campaign has been established in my honor 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 Mid-Atlantic Lung Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. If you wish to make a donation:
Make checks payable to:
HelpHOPELive
Note in memo section:
In honor of Krista Lepper
Please send to:
HelpHOPELive
2 Radnor Corporate Center
100 Matsonford Road, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087
For credit card donations, please call 800.642.8399 or select the DONATE NOW button.
I am blessed to be the mother of 3 wonderful children and 3 adorable grandchildren. My family is doing everything they can to help me. I have always worked hard and been active in the community. I look forward to returning to work and becoming an active member of the community again as soon as I am able.
With a heartfelt thank you,
Krista Lepper
570-673-8915
lepperk@ymail.com
June 9, 2013
Saw the pulmonologist in Pittsburgh last Thur. She had the surgeon come and see me. Because I have lost a total of 42 pounds to date, they are going to review my case with the committee this coming Tuesday and request that I be placed on the transplant list. I am praying for the best results. I will keep you posted.
Thank you for all the donations and prayers on my behalf..
Krista
July 27, 2013 – Update
I was officially added the to lung transplant list last Tuesday. I have lost 56 pounds to date and continue to continue to loss more weight. Now all I need to do is wait to receive a phone call that a set of lungs are available for me. My LAS # is not the highest so my condition may have to get worse before I get a call. Thank you for all the donations and prayers on my behalf.
Krista
