Judy Dutrow

Judy Hinson Dutrow has battled chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and emphysema for more than 10 years. Doctors say a lung transplant is absolutely her only hope of surviving the progressive, debilitating diseases. Judy, a very caring woman who has always helped others at every opportunity, now requires our assistance, as transplant costs are overwhelming.

Judy grew up in the Pasco County, Florida hamlet of Darby and graduated from Pasco High in nearby Dade City. Many remember her from her advertising sales job at The Tampa Tribune, or from her time as executive director of the Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

Judy long believed she could not have children, as surgical removal of an ovary was necessary at age 21. However, two miracles occurred in her late 30s: she met the love of her life, Paul Dutrow, and gave birth to their beautiful, healthy daughter, Erica Ray Dutrow. The active family enjoyed travel, boating, deep-sea fishing and diving.

For 16 years, she and Paul owned and operated a successful specialty construction business. Then the recession. The tightknit family is hopeful necessary financial assistance will help see them through the lifesaving lung transplant.

Judy’s symptoms began with shortness of breath, making exercise and other everyday activities difficult. She tires easily. Diagnosed with progressive lung disease, she began breathing treatments and inhalants. In 2007, she was put on oxygen therapy, making it impossible to maintain a normal lifestyle. She even was forced to discontinue her involvement with Erica’s school activities. Today, she is on oxygen 24 hours daily, tethered by a breathing tube to a machine.

That dependency makes it extremely impractical to leave the house for anything but critically important medical appointments. The continual lack of breath spawns additional anxiety. The resulting inactivity led to a weight gain, but Judy recently lost 38 pounds to prepare for her transplant.

Insurance copays, other extremely high out-of-pocket expenses, including post-transplant lab fees and medication, make outside assistance critical.

To help with the financial burden of Judy’s uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in her honor has been established with HelpHOPEive, 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 held by HelpHOPELive in the Southeast Region Lung Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider a contribution.