Help Luann Harrigan

My name is Cathy Schamrowski and 42 years ago I met Luann Harrigan at college in Portales, New Mexico. We worked many hours together in the school snack shop and quickly became close friends. When I decided to return home from school, I invited Luann to come check out Chicago. She liked her visit and decided to make the move away from her parents, seven siblings, several nieces and nephews and many cousins. This was a big adjustment for her that led to many ups and downs. Life has been a challenge; she got married and had a son, Nicholas, divorced, and worked hard as a single mother. Eventually, she met her current husband, Joe, and has been with him for over 30 years.

Luann is a supportive friend and family member who has always put everyone else's needs before her own. Even as a child she had always worked hard at home by helping her mom care for her grandparents and working outside the home all while attending school. She was raised to have a strong work ethic and this skill carried her through the years. For as long as I have known her, she has always worked hard. Even during life’s ups and downs, Luann has shown great strength and courage.

On behalf of her friends and family, we want to put her first and take care of her in the same ways we’ve seen her take care of everyone else. About 8 years ago, Luann was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis - a serious chronic (long-term) disease that affects tissues in the lungs. On top of that in 2016, Luann discovered she had developed Lung Cancer. Luann has tried almost everything to delay the growth of the fibrosis and when she was diagnosed with Lung Cancer, she was treated by having her right lower lobe removed. This helped with removing some of the fibrosis, but it was not enough to stop the growth.

In the last couple of years, her breathing started to become an issue and is now on oxygen 24/7, impacting her quality of life and making daily routines and chores even more difficult. Luann has been given the opportunity to qualify for a lung transplant. She has gone through several tests to determine if she can get approved to be on the national transplant list. The good news is - she was approved! This is a procedure that can happen at the drop of a dime. The call can come in days, weeks, months or maybe even years from now but when it does happen, it will unfold quickly. Once the call comes, Luann will not be able to work and the recovery from the procedure can take up to 6 months. She will be able to take FMLA but will not be able to collect short- or long-term disability.

Their household income will decrease drastically. While Luann has had her health issues her husband, Joe, has his own health journey which prevents him from working and now relies on a fixed income. For now, Luann continues to work full-time supporting both their needs all while being connected to oxygen. We are hoping to raise funds to go towards things like food, utilities and bills so that when the call for the transplant procedure does come, she can rest easy during recovery.