Laverna St. Julien is up against a challenge she cannot face alone. Three years ago, she was diagnosed with a chronic pulmonary disease, Pulmonary Fibrosis. Laverna was put on oxygen 24 hours a day and was forced to give up a job that she loved. In 2012, she was evaluated at the University of Virginia, and was told that she is an excellent candidate for a double lung transplant. This is her only option for a long and healthy life.
Laverna was a supervisor for Riverside Regional Jail in Hopewell, VA for many years, a job that she loved and cherished. Unfortunately, she was forced to retire due to her illness. She also had to put aside other things she loved to do when she wasn’t working hard, like traveling, singing, dancing, and cooking. Through the gift of a transplant, she hopes to someday return to work and her fun activities.
Transplantation is lifesaving, but very expensive. Financing this procedure is a monumental task and a challenge Laverna cannot meet without support from her family, friends, local community and that of her hometown state of Louisiana. Even with insurance, there are many uninsured transplant related expenses including travel to and from the transplant center, and the costly immunosuppressant medications that she will have to take for the rest of her life.
To help with this financial burden, a fundraising campaign in Laverna’s honor has been established 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 South-Atlantic Lung Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider making a donation.
Thank you for your prayers and support,
Quincy St. Julien, (Laverna’s nephew)
540-455-3961
