Teresa Cummins

Dear Family, Friends and Community,

I have wonderful news to share with you. On July 1st, I received the gift of life, a life-saving lung transplant. I have a long road of recovery ahead and I can now look forward to seeing my children graduate high school, go off to college and pursue their own passions and dreams. I would like to encourage all of you to consider becoming an organ donor. I am both incredibly grateful and humbled by the generous act of my donor’s family.

Three years ago, I was diagnosed with Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis and Pulmonary Hypertension. Since then, I was on oxygen 24 hours a day with my oxygen needs increasing over time. I am a single mother to my four children, Sean (11), twins Nevin and Bridget (12), and Garrett (15). They keep my spirits high and keep me going every day. I look forward to going back to work, resuming my volunteer work and mostly being the involved parent I have always wanted to be.

As you can imagine, my strenuous journey has led to staggering medical bills. Even with insurance I have many expenses that must be paid out of pocket. Already, thousands of dollars of uninsured medical expenses have accumulated and will continue to grow because of the need to be near the hospital for at least four months and very expensive anti-rejection medications. Because of this, I must continue to rely on those with giving and caring hearts.

To assist with these out-of-pocket expenses, a fundraising campaign in my honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Southwest Lung Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider making a contribution.

On behalf of Sean, Nevin, Bridget, Garrett and myself, thank you for your kindness, generosity, support and prayers.

Teresa Cummins
831-247-0938
[email protected]