Joyce Bilal

Joyce Needs Your Help

In 2009, Fay (Joyce) Bilal, a long-time resident of Winter Haven, Florida was involved in a tragic motor vehicle accident. The aftermath left her with very serious injuries, and we didn’t know if she was going to survive. She was resuscitated several times, and suffered a broken collar bone, multiple rib fractures, and a broken pelvis. Because of the trauma to her body, and her pre-existing heart disease, Fay’s body severely weakened over time, and her organs did not receive proper blood flow. This past February 22nd, things got worse for Fay, and she was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy and pulmonary edema. She has been on a ventilator ever since, and is fighting hard for her life. A heart transplant is now her only hope for survival.

Fay started a career as a hairdresser, and later went back to school to be a licensed nurse. Despite developing heart disease in her early 40s, Fay continued to work very hard as a geriatric nurse, and later took on a nursing position in a women’s correctional facility. There she worked with prison inmates and volunteered to mentor and help them through difficult situations. Fay has always been there for others — now it is time to help her receive the gift of life through a heart transplant.

A heart transplant will be lifesaving for Fay, but the costs for this surgery are monumental. Tampa General is requiring our family to raise over $10,000 prior to listing Fay on the active transplant list. Co-pays, deductibles, health insurance premiums, doctor visits, travel and lodging fees are only a few of the out-of-pocket expenses she will face. She is also required to take costly anti-rejection medications for the rest of her life. Due to her constant pain from the auto accident, Fay is unable to work, and her expenses are quickly adding up. Fay needs your help!

To help with these financial challenges, a fundraising campaign in Fay’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 Southeast Transplant Fund, and are administered by Help Hope Live for transplant-related expenses only. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your prayers, generosity and support in helping with Fay’s fundraising campaign.

Gratefully,

Aaliah, Zakiyyah and Latifah Bilal, Fay’s loving daughters