November 14, 2014

Hi everyone! My name is Ashley Durand, I'm a 28 y/o female living with Cystic Fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. People with CF have a defective gene that causes the body to produce unusally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life threatening lung infections. It also leads to loss of lung function, over time.

Lung Transplant is one outlet to help extend the life of a Cfer. My lung functions have been hovering around 20-28% over the past couple years. My doctor referred me to Brigham and Woman's Lung transplant program, and after two long years of testing and proving myself mentally and physically strong enough to be able to receive new lungs--I have finally been approved and listed for double lung transplant!

My goal with this Gofund me page is it raise enough money to make this miracle happen! The surgery will be covered by insurance, but a lot of the cost will not be covered. Transportation to and from Boston, gas, food, lodging, time away from work, medications, and we will still need to keep up with normal bills. These are just a few of the things my parents ( Valerie, and Bill - who are awesome!! ) will be taking on. This will be a long road, and a hardship on my parents and I. They will be traveling long hours from Maine to Boston, taking turns coming to be with me (Mom one week Dad the next). Not to mention I will have to live in Boston for some time after transplant. This is a requirement of the program, to ensure my safety and easy access to the transplant team while my body heals and begins to except the new lungs. (fingers crossed)

Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated. Please help me receive the gift of new lungs, and the chance to breathe freely along side my family for many years to come!!!! God bless!