Traci Higbee

Help Traci Breathe Free

Hi Everyone,

My name is Traci, I am a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and coworker.

I was a foster parent for about 5 years and during that time I had the privilege of caring for quite a few amazing little people. I picked up my last foster child at the hospital when he was 48 hours old. After years of waiting, the fates decreed that he was “the one” and his adoption was finalized in 2013. He is the light of my life, the warmth in my heart, along with my daily frustration. I wouldn’t trade a moment of any of that. I miss taking daily walks around the neighborhood, trips to the pumpkin patch, visits to the railroad museums and all the fun things we used to do together. My lung disease has impacted my daily living to the point I can’t do any of these things anymore. I am on oxygen 24/7 and really only leave home when I have to and rarely for anything fun.

To say that my life has been an adventure is pure truth, and I have truly been blessed. When I was born my right lung collapsed. I spent most of my childhood in and out of hospitals, yet still managed to have a somewhat “normal-ish” life until a couple years ago. I have Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD). The short of it is, I don’t have the hair-like fibers in my lungs to sweep out all the crud that is in the air that we breathe. PCD is a progressive disease and as I have gotten older, the disease has now progressed to the point that I need a double lung transplant.

Unfortunately, Kansas City does not have a lung transplant center; the closest one is 4 hours away in St. Louis. Once I am ready to be listed, I will need to re-locate to St. Louis, along with my mom & my 11-year-old son and live there for at least 6 months for me to have this life saving transplant. The funds raised will help with out-of-pocket expenses, transportation, and lodging while we are in St. Louis for those 6 months.

I have started a fundraiser through Help Hope Live (https://helphopelive.org/campaign/23079/) to assist with these expenses. Please consider giving a tax-deductible donation. Together we will help me get back to my life so I can do all the things I enjoy like trainspotting and other adventures with my son Logan, traveling, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, hanging out with family & friends, and living life to the fullest! Thank you for reading my story. I truly appreciate your time and consideration.