Judy Stroia

Judy Stroia needs a lifesaving lung transplant, and she desperately needs your help. After suffering for over two years from a severe and chronic cough that refused to go away, Judy was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis or IPF. IPF is a progressive and generally fatal disease characterized by scarring of the lungs, causing an irreversible loss of the tissue’s ability to transport oxygen. IPF ultimately robs a patient of the ability to breathe. Judy’s condition has unfortunately progressed, and her physicians at Cleveland Clinic have informed her that a lung transplant is now her only option and hope for survival.

Judy grew up in Alliance, Ohio and graduated from Alliance High School. After graduating, she worked at Alliance Community Hospital as a Nurse’s Aide. It was there she met her loving husband, Richard and after several years together, they decided to open up a restaurant called Polinori’s. Shortly after celebrating their 45th Anniversary, Judy’s husband Richard sadly passed away. Judy is now retired, and unable to work due to her medical condition. She is on full-time oxygen, but when she feels well enough, she spends her time at her local church and volunteers as an usher. She also helps her church with meal and clothing drives for the homeless population, and assists with programs to help them pay their bills and get back on their feet.

Judy has reached out to others her whole life, however she is now asking for your financial help. Transplants are lifesaving, but the costs to fund this monumental procedure are overwhelming to Judy. As Judy undergoes extensive medical testing to be placed on the active transplant list, her out-of-pocket medical expenses continue to rise. Co-pays and deductibles, medication fees, health insurance premiums, lab testing, and travel expenses continue to add up. She will also be required to pay for a caregiver and take post-transplant, anti-rejection drugs that she is required to take for the rest of her life.

Judy has chosen to fundraise with HelpHOPELive in part because HelpHOPELive assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for donors. Donors can be sure that funds donated will be used only to pay or reimburse medically-related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click the yellow DONATE NOW button. For more information, please contact HelpHOPELive at 800.642.8399.

Thank you ahead of time for your thoughts, prayers and generosity. Any donation amount, no matter how big or how small is truly a gift for Judy and one step closer to a successful lung transplant and outcome.

Gratefully,
Kris Alekna, Judy’s loving daughter
330-768-7349, [email protected]