Emily Progin, PR and Communications Coordinator
eprogin@helphopelive.org / 800.642.8399
JUNE 8 FUNDRAISER TO HELP MOM & VETERAN JULIE POSEY GET NEW LUNGS
Community Has Raised $15,800 So Far to Help “Momma J” on Her Transplant Journey
CINCINNATI, Ohio—On Wednesday, June 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the community will gather to “Luau for Lungs” at Just Q’In & Tiki-Tiki Bang Bang (975 E McMillan Street in Cincinnati) to provide help and hope to Cincy native Julie Posey, aka “Momma J”, as she continues to fundraise for the cost of a life-changing double-lung transplant. 10% of profits will go the nonprofit Help Hope Live in Julie’s honor to offset critical transplant expenses.
In 2016, 62-year-old Julie was diagnosed with myositis, an incurable and rare autoimmune disorder that began to severely damage the tissue of her lungs. She went from breathing independently to being completely dependent on oxygen within a year. Julie soon learned that a double-lung transplant would be her only hope of survival.
Julie is a loving mother of four and grandma of six. She grew up in College Hill and joined the Air Force. While living in the Bay Area of California as part of the Air Force Reserve, she changed lives through her HIV community outreach and patient care. She moved back to Cincinnati more than 25 years ago, and she continues to serve the community locally, contributing to meaningful nonprofit causes ranging from child hunger to racial equity.
“The process of a lung transplant is an all-hands-on-deck situation,” family members explained. The transplant recovery process will require extensive 24-hour-per-day caregiving, temporary relocation, and regular transportation for follow-up. All of these transplant necessities and others have a high pricetag: in fact, Milliman estimates the average cost of a lung transplant can exceed $1.3 million before insurance.
That’s why Julie and her community have turned to Help Hope Live, a national nonprofit that specializes in medical fundraising for transplants. Access Julie’s fundraising page at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/19584/
In just three months, the community has rallied to raise $15,800 towards Julie’s first $25,000 fundraising goal.
Proceeds from the June 8 Luau for Lungs fundraiser will go directly to Help Hope Live in Julie’s honor to help with transplant-related expenses. For additional info on the event, contact Julian Posey at 513.462.5257 or julianposey7@gmail.com
Can’t attend? Make a donation at any time online at https://helphopelive.org/campaign/19584/ or learn how else you can get involved by calling 800.642.8399.
Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and all funds raised will be managed by the nonprofit to cover verified medical and related expenses. Help Hope Live verifies medical and financial need for every patient.
Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit that specializes in engaging communities in secure, tax-deductible fundraising campaigns for people who need a transplant or are affected by a catastrophic injury or illness. Since 1983, campaigns organized by Help Hope Live have raised over $158 million to pay patient expenses. ###
Written by Emily Progin
