Debra Kahn

Debbie is 46 years old and has been battling Congestive Heart Failure since 2010. She has watched her heart function continuously get worse since being diagnosed with CHF. Then, last October her heart became so weak that it was unable to pump enough blood through her body, so that her major organs began to shut down. It was then that her doctors decided that the only option left was a heart transplant.

Debbie has lived most of her life in Marin and Sonoma Counties. She has been married to her husband, Dan, for more than a quarter of a century. Together they have two children; a 27-year-old daughter, Kera, and their 17-year-old son, Gideon. Debbie worked for the County of Marin Health and Human Services for close to 20 years. She supported her family as the primary bread winner, which allowed her husband to be a stay at home dad and raise their two kids. She continued to work for three years after her diagnoses of heart failure. Finally, due to her failing health, she was forced to retire in 2013.

The costs of a heart transplant are astronomical: even with insurance that covers all the medical costs, the nonmedical costs can be another $12,000 to $15,000. They include: transportation, relocation expenses, temporary housing, home health care, parking, bills, and food. UCSF requires transplant patients to stay at the hospital for two weeks’ post-surgery. When released the patient and her caregiver must live within 30 minutes of the hospital for a minimum of six weeks. During this time, she is required to have around the clock care for 30 days. Debra desperately needs your help!

To help offset such expenses, a fundraising campaign in Debra’s honor has been established with Help Hope Live, 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 to the full extent allowed by law, are held by Help Hope Live in the Southwest Heart Transplant Fund, and are administered by Help Hope Live for transplant-related expenses only. If you would like to make a contribution, please click the DONATE NOW bar.

Thank you, everyone, for all of your prayers, support, and generosity.

Gratefully,

Daniel Kahn