A Breath for Melissa
Donation protected
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Melissa Pappagerogas is a beautiful 30 year old daughter, sister, fiance, friend, surfer and so much more. She has a smile that lights up a room and a soul that will never quit. When Melissa was 14 years old she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Most 14 year old girls would have been devastated with this diagnosis, but not Melissa. She faced her disease head on and showed it who was boss! Over the past 15 years she has participated in three triatholons and became an avid surfer. These activities kept her in overall good health. However, CF can switch gears without warning and the results can be devastating. In June of this year, Melissa got what a "normal" person would consider a cold. This cold however attacked her lungs and over the past three months, her lung function has decreased over 20%. On October 11th, Melissa was placed on a ventilator and ECMO machine to keep her lungs working while she desperately awaits the gift of new lungs from a selfless organ donor.
Melissa recently became engaged to the love of her life Joey, who is has not left her side in the ICU. Her amazing parents and brother are rotating shifts as well so Melissa has someone with her 24 hours a day. Her parents, Chris and Lori started the Living Breath Foundation when Melissa and her brother Nick were both diagnosed with CF. Over the years, they have raised funds for CF patients and their families to offset some of the incredible medical expenses affiliated with this disease. It is their turn for other to take care of and support them during this time. The only worry they should have is being with Melissa and keeping her spirits hopeful and calm as she waits for her chance to breathe easily......
Melissa Pappagerogas is a beautiful 30 year old daughter, sister, fiance, friend, surfer and so much more. She has a smile that lights up a room and a soul that will never quit. When Melissa was 14 years old she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Most 14 year old girls would have been devastated with this diagnosis, but not Melissa. She faced her disease head on and showed it who was boss! Over the past 15 years she has participated in three triatholons and became an avid surfer. These activities kept her in overall good health. However, CF can switch gears without warning and the results can be devastating. In June of this year, Melissa got what a "normal" person would consider a cold. This cold however attacked her lungs and over the past three months, her lung function has decreased over 20%. On October 11th, Melissa was placed on a ventilator and ECMO machine to keep her lungs working while she desperately awaits the gift of new lungs from a selfless organ donor.
Melissa recently became engaged to the love of her life Joey, who is has not left her side in the ICU. Her amazing parents and brother are rotating shifts as well so Melissa has someone with her 24 hours a day. Her parents, Chris and Lori started the Living Breath Foundation when Melissa and her brother Nick were both diagnosed with CF. Over the years, they have raised funds for CF patients and their families to offset some of the incredible medical expenses affiliated with this disease. It is their turn for other to take care of and support them during this time. The only worry they should have is being with Melissa and keeping her spirits hopeful and calm as she waits for her chance to breathe easily......
Organizer and beneficiary
Beth Ben Oneto
Organizer
Rio Del Mar, CA
Lori Pappageorgas
Beneficiary