Within two hours after my birth it was clear something was wrong. I was blue. I was not getting oxygen into my blood. An X-ray showed I had a defective heart. I wasn’t getting oxygen because my main arteries weren’t in the right place.

So at just two days old I had surgery, a temporary fix that worked until I was three. Then the surgeons went in again with a more permanent fix. The procedure was called Transposition of the Great Vessels or Mustard Procedure. This is where doctors put in a baffle to redirect the blood from the left ventricle (normally only pumping to the lungs) into the right ventricle (normally only pumping to the body) so I would get oxygen to my body.

Now forty three years later that baffle is failing, along with my left ventricle. My doctors tell me I need a heart transplant to survive. But as you would imagine the cost is huge.

After my surgery I will need to begin recovery close to my transplant center in Denver for three months. That equates to about $4000 just in housing and care. That doesn’t include food or co-pays. I also have to commute to Denver from Gillette every month for follow up visits. Then there are prescription co-pays. You get the idea. I can’t do this on my own. That’s why I need your help.

A fundraising campaign in my 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 Midwest/West Heart Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider making a donation to my campaign today:

To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Donate Now button.

I greatly appreciate your positive thoughts and prayers. Your continued support and contributions will help me survive this unbelievable challenge, and return to my productive life as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
Angelia Blaine (307) 696-5939

Thank you for your support!