Susan Newkirk Memorial Fund

Hello my name is Larry, my mom is Susan Newkirk.

Help Susie fight Pulmonary Fibrosis

Susie - is an amazing person she loves her family, friends, and karaoke!! Shes fighting to breath every day and Pulmonary Fibrosis only gets worse each day. She has been in the hospital since the begining of December 2023. They are starting the process of the assessment stage to see if she is approved for a lung transplant. She is in NYC so the burden of traveling and staying in NYC is quite a finacial burden on the whole family. We are hoping that the great community she has lived in for over 50 years will reach out and help. The money raised will go for her care and for travel expenses for family members. She will have a long road to recovery if she is approved for the lung transplant.

In February 2021, Susie contracted COVID-19 but unlike most of us who bounced back after a few weeks, Susan did not recover easily. Post-COVID, Susan began getting pneumonia, experiencing difficulties breathing, and was referred to a Pulmonologist who gave Susan life-altering news - she has Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).

IPF is a progressive disease that impacts the lungs in various ways. Lung scarring and/or inflammation make it difficult for the lungs to adequately absorb oxygen. This causes shortness of breath, fatigue, coughing, and many other daily annoyances.

Her Pulmonologist reffered her to specialists at Mt. Sinai Hospital in NYC. The Hospital diagnosed her with severe fibrosis of both lungs and informed her that the only path to recovery would be an eventual lung transplant if approved.

By November 2023, the disease progressed rapidly. Simple activities that once came easily, like walking or singing karaoke, became extremely difficult. Susie was required to carry around portable oxygen to help get through and recover from routine tasks or when she became short of breath.

By December 2023 the disease had taken over. Susie now relies on oxygen 24/7 and her overall health declining quite quickly.

We are trying to look into other alternatives and to see about getting her closer to home if there isn't any other alternatives. We appreciate all your help and our family is grateful. God Bless!!