Tammy Hawkins

Dear Friends and Family,
Tammy Hawkins has spent her entire life with an intent focus on her family, friends, and her community. Whether it is through her devotion to family sporting events, her work with the developmentally disabled or to just lend a helping hand, Tammy is always there. As we are blessed to have her, she is also blessed to have the support of a large family close to her home in Wheatfield.

Through her active lifestyle, which revolved around her love of sports and the outdoors, Tammy began experiencing difficulty breathing. In 2006 she was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a disorder that damages and scars lung tissue. As the disease progressed and further testing and evaluation was completed, in 2010 it was determined that systemic scleroderma, a rare disease affecting connective tissues, was the root cause of her difficulties. The only treatment for this life-threatening condition is a lung transplant. Tammy is being treated for her condition at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and is on the active transplant waiting list. She is currently dependent on the use of a concentrated oxygen supply 24 hrs/day. Though it is a difficult and uncertain time, Tammy remains extremely positive, upbeat and ever supportive.

Even with insurance, Tammy will have many uninsured, transplant –related expenses such as: co-pays and deductibles, doctor visits, and the costly immunosuppressant medications that she will need to take for the rest of her life. This presents a financial burden that the family cannot meet alone. At times like this, the help and prayers of friends, family, and community is greatly needed and appreciated.

To assist her with these out-of-pocket expenses, a fundraising campaign in Tammy’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive (formerly NTAF), a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for nearly 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Great Lakes Lung Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider making a contribution.Thank you for your prayers,
Brandon Gorski, Tammy’s Nephew
219-754-1024

Dawn Gorski
219-754-2371