Help Melanie battle deadly Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

Melanie Nast Young is dying. There is no way to sugar coat it or pretend that it's not real.

The heart/lung transplant option has been ruled out, due to the rare Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AAT) that's been boiling away below her dystonia, which is shutting down her organs. Melanie is managing her short time which remains and has instigated a voluntary assisted dying (VAD) protocol for when she is too ill to continue fighting.

The recent events which conspired to make the situation even more difficult for this young mother of 4 continue. Her father passed a matter of months ago, and her business partner and cherished companion and father of children, Todd Young passed away only a few weeks ago. Mel is now consulting with Palliative physicians but is continuing the fight.

Mel's youngest is only 7 years old and has seen way too much for someone so young. Mel would like to have some special times with her kids and to raise awareness of this highly dangerous hereditary condition. Her time is short.

Mel has given to tens of thousands of people, as part of Young Guns Fishing Adventures, with the Professional Guides Association, as a Champion caster and as an advocate for recreational fishing. Mel has been generous of her time and knowledge, even while battling severe dystonia that would disable most people.

Think about giving something back to someone who has given so much.

Mel has asked for her circumstances to be used to educate people of the impacts of AAT deficiency, the need for more people to be on the organ donation registry and to make sure that you make the most of every day!