PLEASE HELP!
My name is Natalie Riggs, just 49 years old (soon to hit the big 5-0 in December). I was a practicing nurse for over 25 years before I had to retire for medical reasons. In 2008, I was diagnosed with Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. That is when I learned I would need a lifesaving double lung transplant. On November 19, 2012 I received that gift of life. I am now 2 years post-double lung transplant! I have enjoyed a wonderful life and now in my second life I work very hard to stay healthy. My lungs are doing great though immunosuppressant medications and natural causes have put me in stage 4 (of 5 stages) kidney failure. Fortunately, I have yet to start dialysis but I imagine that will happen in time, ultimately leading to a kidney transplant.
Updates (6)
April 1, 2016
~Hi everyone, Natalie here!! Just an 'Events' catch-up. I turned 50 last Dec. & 3yr Anniversary 11/19/12. It definitely has been an adventure of some sorts...many trials & tribulations that will continue for my lifetime.
~My new lungs are being real troopers, though I've had an episode of pneumonia and only 2 admissions to hospital since beginning of Nov. 2015...Yay Me!!
~I'm in the 'midst' of preparing for my Kidney Transplant that I will be needing sooner than later.
~The costs of co-pays and my medicines are shockingly expensive along with daily living and weekly IV I do for myself.
~Your donation is a blessing in disguise .My bff did a garage sale and Julie Raftery & crew threw a Poker night. I became so ill so quickly there wasn't much time for Fundraising. So maybe for this time you'd consider a donation, pass this on & help me along my journey with this rare genetic disease called Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.
~ Transplants are life-saving but financially draining. Even with insurance, I am facing very high out-of-pocket expenses extremely costly post-transplant monthly medications, co-pays, lab fees, and more. I need your help.
~To help with the financial burden of my uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in my honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Great Lakes Kidney Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider a contribution.
For credit card contributions, please click the Donate Now button.
Thank you for your prayers, support and generosity. Keep an eye on this HelpHOPELive campaign page because we will be planning some fundraising events soon and posting updates regularly.
Gratefully,
Natalie D. Riggs
216-645-4872
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April 1, 2016
Natalie Needs Your Help!
My name is Natalie Riggs, just 49 years old (soon to hit the big 5-0 in December). I was a practicing nurse for over 25 years before I had to retire for medical reasons. In 2008, I was diagnosed with Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. That is when I learned I would need a lifesaving double lung transplant. On November 19, 2012 I received that gift of life.
I am now 2 years post-double lung transplant! I have enjoyed a wonderful life, and now in my second life, I work very hard to stay healthy. My lungs are doing great through immunosuppressant medications. However, natural causes have put me in stage 4 (of 5 stages) kidney failure. Fortunately, I have yet to start dialysis but I imagine that will happen in... >> more
Photo Galleries (3)
Guestbook
April 1, 2016
Hi Natalie, Sorry I couldn't give more. That's all I had left in my paypal account. I'll hit you up again in a few days :)
Chad Ely
April 17, 2015
You got this Nat. You are such an inspiration! I love you! Hang in there, This too shall pass....your #1 Barbi girl.....
Barbi Moses Panesky
March 3, 2014
Wishing you much happiness and continued success in this and all you do! Keep your optimism alive!
Lloyd Braun
