Tammy Bolerjack

Tammy Needs Your Help

Tammy Bolerjack was born with a progressive and terminal lung disease, known as Cystic Fibrosis. Over the years, Tammy’s illness progressed, and by 2009 things took a turn for the worse. Her lung function started to rapidly decline, and she was placed on fulltime oxygen therapy. Tammy was rushed to the hospital and eventually placed on a ventilator. It was at this time she was advised that a double lung transplant was her only hope to survive. After months of struggle, and twelve days on a ventilator, Tammy finally received a double lung transplant at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida on August 28th, 2011. Despite horrible pain and extended time in the hospital, Tammy recovered well and gained a new lease on life!

Tammy is a loyal friend with a huge heart. Her strength and perseverance has carried on, and even her team of medical professionals has used Tammy’s story in conferences and in an effort to demonstrate how well people can do after surviving a double lung transplant. Tammy is ever so grateful for her new lungs, however things have been very difficult for both Tammy and her husband financially, over the past several years. After her surgery, Tammy had to live near the Mayo Clinic for three months. She rented an apartment while attending multiple medical appointments and bronchoscopy procedures. Tammy eventually started pulmonary physical therapy, and as the years have gone by, these tests and evaluations have lessened (unless sick), but they still continue for Tammy.

Tammy’s recovery has exceeded expectation. Despite staying active and even running in races, Tammy’s doctors prefer she does not work because there is less chance she gets sick and goes into organ rejection. Infections, side-effects from medications and post-transplant complications are all too common with lung transplants. As a result of not working, affording her costly post-transplant, anti-rejection medication regimen has been extremely difficult. Prior to her transplant, Tammy worked for many years with sea turtles. But Tammy had to resign from her position at the Marine Science Center after her transplant. Because she is immunosuppressed, working with sick and injured reptiles is too dangerous for Tammy.

August 28th will mark Tammy’s 4 year post-transplant anniversary. Despite her new lungs, Tammy still has cystic fibrosis in her genes, which still affects her health. She has sinus surgery every 6 months, and takes many medications daily to keep her body healthy and prevent organ rejection. These medications cause loss of bone density, skin and cervical cancers, kidney disease, and unfortunately Tammy now has stage-three kidney disease. Over the years, Tammy’s health insurance premium has drastically increased and her out-of-pocket medical expenses have skyrocketed. Copays and deductibles have risen, and necessary trips to the Mayo Clinic (over 200 miles round trip) are a huge expense for Tammy. Travel, lodging and meal fees continue to add up, and Tammy is running out of options. While Tammy is strong and has survived a great deal, she has come so far without asking for help until now.

Tammy has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility to the full extent allowed by law for donors. Donors can be sure that funds donated will be used only to pay or reimburse medically-related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Donate Now button.

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

Thank you ahead of time for your generosity, prayers and support. Your donation is truly a gift for Tammy.

Gratefully,

Heather Doyle