Heidi Crowley for unforeseen medical expenses

Hi, my name is Alex Froese, and I am a long-time friend of Heidi's.

Heidi and I met back in 2000 working at Roger's Video. We instantly connected and have been best pals ever since. If you've ever had the pleasure of meeting Heidi, you will know that her presence and smile lights up the room. She has a generous spirit and is always willing to give her time, love and support to her family and friends. She is a tremendous gift-giver (that's one of her top love languages). She has a gift for everyone at the holidays and she will never forget a birthday of an acquaintance.

Heidi has been a senior years teacher for almost two decades. She was pursuing her degree while working at Roger's video, when we first met. Heidi is one of those teachers you remember. She goes the extra mile to help her students in every way, be it to prepare for tests, exams or to talk about the latest things going on in their lives. She's present and involved. She absolutely loves learning, being a teacher, and loves her students dearly.

In early 2022, Heidi was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of Vasculitis called Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) formerly called Wegener's. GPA creates inflammation of the blood vessels in your nose, sinuses, throat, lungs and kidneys. There is no cure for GPA and there is no "one-fix" drug to help stabilize the symptoms. Heidi has a team of doctors that have been triaging her symptoms for the last two and half years. They have not been able to stabilize her symptoms and she has been on corticosteroids (prednisone) and countless other medications this entire time. She's also had several infusions of chemotherapy-like drugs to try to put the GPA into remission. Unfortunately, none of these attempts have put GPA into remission. Throughout these last two and half years, Heidi has maintained an optimistic attitude about her health without fail even on days when I know it was especially difficult. She is the epitome of sunshine on a rainy day.

She was so happy to be able to go back this last school year to teach on a part-time basis even though it was incredibly physically demanding on her.

On Monday, Heidi was rushed to the hospital as she was experiencing excruciating pain in her leg for the last two weeks. A large blood clot was found in her leg (the entire length of her leg!). After several surgeries, they have come to the realization that her foot on that leg can not be saved, and she will be scheduled for amputation once she has been stabilized.

With this huge change to her life, Heidi is going to have many medical appointments, medical expenses and other expenses like physiotherapy and expenses for moving into a place that is wheelchair accessible. I am hoping that this fundraiser will be able to help alleviate the financial strain and she can focus on her healing.

Heidi rarely asks for help. She's an independent lady! But right now, she needs this. I feel it's her time to receive, as she has so generously provided love, support and gifts to so many that surround her.