Maggie Gell

Dear Family and Friends,

In my career as a registered nurse since 1974, I have prided myself on being dedicated to the care of others. I’m finding it difficult now to have to become the patient instead of the caregiver. On December 7, 2009, due to a health crisis, I found myself suddenly leaving my beloved career as a school nurse for Odyssey Academy (former Hoover Drive) with the Greece Central School District. I miss the staff but mostly I miss the students.

Breathing is something most of us take for granted; I know I did. When your lungs do not provide the air you need, your body becomes nonfunctional and movement is difficult. I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2006. Even with oxygen, I have a difficult time with simple tasks such as simply walking from one room to another. After breathing tests, x-rays, and CT scans of my lungs, the results show that the disease has progressed and a lung transplant is going to be necessary.

This brings me to the purpose of my letter. Organ transplantation is life-saving, but expensive. My insurance company will only cover 80 percent of my medical bills. This leaves Danny and me to worry about the other 20 percent of medical bills and all other uninsured expenses, including travel to Cleveland and lodging there. As a result, Cleveland Clinic Medical Center recommends fund raising.

To help offset my uninsured costs, a fundraising campaign in my honor has been established with HelpHOPELive (formerly NTAF), a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for nearly 30 years. All contributions are tax deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the New York Lung Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. You can help make a difference in my life. Please consider making a contribution.Your prayers, support and financial gifts are greatly appreciated and will help my family and me through this most difficult time.

With my sincere gratitude,

Maggie Gell
585-621-4257