Tammie Shugart

Howdy, my name is Tammie Shugart, and I love being on the go, experiencing everything that this life has to offer. I especially love sharing those experiences with family. My days are filled with laughter, adventure, and the simple joy of being in good company. Anyone that knows me can and will attest to the fact that I never sit still for very long, and it’s up to them to try and keep up. I pride myself on being a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, and aunt – a central hub in a big, beautiful family. I’m always ready to embrace life’s next adventure and thrive on sharing those moments with the people I love most. However, in July of 2016, my world shifted as I was diagnosed with Scleroderma and Interstitial Lung Disease that slowly began to steal my breath and vitality.

Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes thickening, or hardening, of the skin and connective tissues. It’s also able to settle in one’s internal organs and can result in a multitude of other medical conditions, such as Raynaud’s phenomenon, GERD, and pulmonary hypertension.

Prior to my diagnosis, I lived a pretty active lifestyle running 3 kids around to different sporting events, hosting family events, traveling, and running firework stands. I poured my heart into serving my community by volunteering on the boards with Easter Seals and United Way and organizing and teaching vacation bible school over the summers. Being able to stay involved with friends and family and give my time as a way to help serve others has always been a way to fill my heart with gratitude. I truly believe that God’s plan for us is to serve one another and help each other succeed.  

Since being diagnosed in 2016 I vowed to not let Scleroderma define me. I have always found ways to adapt to my situation and find alternative ways to still do all the things I love to do, even after being put on oxygen full time in 2022 at 3 liters per minute. In the beginning, it was pretty doable. However, that all took a turn in August of 2024 when my body reached its limit. I went in for a routine check-up and was admitted to the hospital for 3 weeks as my oxygen needs had drastically changed, a stark reminder of how aggressively the disease was progressing. I now need to be on 8 – 10 liters of oxygen per minute. My doctor made the decision to have me evaluated and placed on the list for a double lung transplant. It has become increasingly noticeable how much Scleroderma has taken over within the past year. Every day life has become a relentless battle, and even the smallest of tasks leave me exhausted. Going outside or leaving my home is now a monumental effort, especially for those taking care of me. I am beyond blessed to have the spectacular village that surrounds me, and their support never wavers. Although they would never complain, I feel like the biggest burden falls onto them. They’re responsible for loading and unloading me and all of my medications and oxygen tanks whenever we do go out. They’re always ready to lend a helping hand, making sure not to let me over-exert myself. I’ve been told I’m not the greatest at knowing my own limitations. At times, it certainly can feel like I’m tethered to my concentrator with only a 50’ radius that restricts me inside my home. 

In receiving this transplant, I hope to return to some sense of normalcy. A true chance to reclaim my life. I dream of breathing freely again, of having the energy to live fully, of returning to the joy of serving others and cherishing every moment with my family. But this life-saving gift comes with a staggering cost. The procedure itself, estimated at $1.3 million before insurance, is just the beginning. There is life-long anti-rejection medications, copays for follow-up appointments, travel and accommodations during recovery, and the loss of income while in recovery.

I’m reaching out to you, my community, my friends, and anyone who believes in the power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit. I need your help to breathe again, to live again, to be the wife, mother, and friend I want to be. And with that plea, I also carry a profound sense of gratitude and respect for the sacrifice that makes all of this possible. I ask that anyone reading this join me in offering prayers of peace and comfort for the donor’s family, knowing that my second chance comes from their heartbreaking loss. I promise to honor this extraordinary gift with every day I am given thanks to their selfless act. Every donation, every share, every word of encouragement brings me closer to this life -saving transplant. 

Thank you for listening to my story. Thank you for your compassion. Thank you for helping me find breath again!