Sonia Castell

My mother, Sonia, has been fighting a losing battle with Lung Fibrosis for going on 12 years. A far cry from the 3-6 years the doctors quoted her as the “usual” life expectancy after diagnosis. There are many things about her case that would set her apart from the usual. She was diagnosed in her early thirties, the usual onset age being late fifties/early sixties with a disease for which there is no cure without a lung transplant. Only medication to make her life more comfortable.

For the 13 years my mom has spent battling her condition she has never let it define or hold her back. She raised 2 children as a single mother & worked hard to provide for us. With every passing year her condition worsened & she never let those around her know it. Those difficult years brought along many struggles & many blessings. She met her husband Rolando (Tito) who loves & annoys her, he is now her full-time caretaker. She also has 2 beautiful grandbabies who absolutely adore her.

Today, her strength isn’t enough to maintain the quality of life she fought so hard for when her disease first took hold. She’s on oxygen 24/7 & even a slight cold could worsen her condition to the point of hospitalization for weeks at a time. Worse, she’s missing out on what others may take for granted. Being able to go on a date night without worrying about lugging around oxygen tanks or the anxiety of running out of it while out, having to make sure everywhere will be wheelchair accessible. Not being able to pick up your grandkids or take them to the park. Living life without the thought of walking up the stairs looming over you.

Today, she waits on the lung transplant list with the hope for a better life. Not for just herself, but for her family who miss the woman she used to be dearly. The person she misses being. For that reason, we ask that you donate to Help Hope Live. Accurately named, because that is what we are asking of you. There are many things that will not & are already not being covered by health insurance such as; monthly anti-rejection medications which she will need to take for the rest of her life and copayments for her hospital admissions, specialist appointments and therapy to keep her heart strong. When she gets the call for the transplant there will be living expenses as they will need to relocate to the transplant center in Charlottesville, VA, for at least 3 months, hoping there are no complications. During this time Tito will need to take a leave from work with-out pay.

Your donations to Help Hope Live could help ease the burden of the financial losses having a lung transplant would come with & allow Sonia & her family to focus on the journey ahead. Hopefully making a full recovery & leading a long, happy life with her loving husband, children, & grandchildren.

Thank you for your support!
Kayla Hughes

Family and friends of Sonia Castell are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with transplantation.

Sonia has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!