Denise Stevenson

When Denise heard her cousin was expecting a baby girl, she did what she always does: she asked Keith to find the nearest Walmart so she could pick up crochet supplies. Never mind that she needs high concentrations of oxygen just to talk. Little Lydia Ann needs a blanket, and Denise is going to make her one!

That’s just who Denise is.

About Denise

Denise is a U.S. Army veteran, a fierce spirit, and someone who finds humor in the simplest things. She’s been known to declare something “as useless as tits on a boar hog,” and she’s the kind of person who makes tiny crocheted critters for the teller at the post office just because. Her handmade greeting cards, blankets, and stuffed animals have brought joy to family, friends, and strangers alike. When people have offered to pay her for her beautiful work, she’s always refused – she makes treasures and gives them away because that’s what brings her joy.

For over 20 years, Denise and her partner Keith have built a life together filled with year-round camping trips and Saturday night dinners that Denise cooks. She’s independent, creative, and generous to her core.

Why We Need Your Help

Pulmonary fibrosis has stolen Denise’s breath. She can no longer manage daily tasks without oxygen. She can’t crack jokes without gasping for air. She can’t finish that baby blanket or the stuffed animal for the new baby’s big brother. She can’t make Saturday dinner for Keith.

On October 20th, 2025, Denise was approved and placed on the lung transplant list at Cleveland Clinic. This is life-saving news – but it comes with a significant financial burden.

Denise and Keith live in Rochester, NY, but they’ve been in Cleveland for a month already and will need to stay indefinitely – both while awaiting a donor match and through the lengthy recovery period after surgery. Keith, a retired electrical millwright, is Denise’s primary caregiver and life companion. They’re now paying for housing in Cleveland while still maintaining their home in Rochester.

The costs of maintaining two households, plus medications, medical supplies, and all the expenses that come with a major transplant, are overwhelming. Keith’s daughters, Amber and Breanne, will be joining the care team during her recovery to offer Keith a bit of respite to check on things at home.

What Denise Dreams Of

Denise doesn’t need grand plans. She just wants to breathe freely again. She wants to talk and make jokes without losing her breath. She wants to finish her crafting projects. She wants to make Saturday night dinner for Keith again. Simple things that most of us take for granted.

How You Can Help

Help Hope Live is a trusted nonprofit that has been assisting transplant patients with fundraising for over 40 years. Your tax-deductible donation will go directly toward Denise’s transplant-related expenses, including housing in Cleveland, medications, medical supplies, and other costs associated with her surgery and recovery.

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps ease the financial burden so that Denise and Keith can focus on what matters most: getting Denise the lungs she needs to survive and thrive.

Denise has spent her life giving to others. Now it’s our turn to give back to her.

Thank you for your support, your prayers, and for helping Denise breathe again.