Donate to help Sara: Heart & Liver transplant

A New Heart and New Hope for Sara Hernandez

My name is Willie Moore and I’m here on behalf of my family to help my sister, Sara Hernandez, get through a heart and liver transplant.

My sister was dealt a hand at the beginning of her life that many could not overcome. She was born with congenital heart disease and mere hours after her birth, she was put into her first surgery. Just 2 years later, a stroke, resulting in considerable peripheral sight loss. Despite these setbacks, she strode forward in life with an attitude that most of us would have only on our best days. She learned to ride horses, went on an exchange program, brought light and laughter into everyone’s life she touched, and went on to earn several college degrees. Doctors said Sara wouldn’t make 20 years with her condition. Now, more than 35 years have passed since she began her journey. She is happily married in the Portland area, works full-time taking care of children, part-time as a librarian, and even a few side gigs pet sitting.

Unfortunately, her heart has given everything it has to give. In the last year, her liver has began to fail. She now is in desperate need of a combined heart and liver transplant. This news has been difficult to bear, for Sara, for her family, for her friends. Sara’s road started out rough and its about to get rough again. She made it through the first time, and the countless times along the way, due to the overwhelming support from her family, friends, and community. Now she needs that kind of support again. The financial difficulties involved in the transplant process are insurmountable for our family. While she has good insurance from her work, it doesn’t help with all of the costs that are associated along the way. Sara will have to fly down to Stanford, California every 3 months with a family member until a suitable donor is found. After a match is made, she will be immediately life flighted from Portland to Stanford. Post surgery, Sara will endure a minimum 3 month stay in the hospital and another 3 months living in an apartment near the hospital, all the while accompanied by a family member. Six months is a lot of time to be out of work for 2 members of our family even without the other associated costs. Please, help us help Sara. She loves life and lives it with a passion, given the chance, she will continue to live it to the fullest.