Help Save Paula
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My name is Paula Pobihushchy and I have a genetic lung disorder called Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. This disorder has caused my lungs to deteriorate to the point that I need a lung transplant.
At present I am at the beginning of the assessment process with the Transplant Team in Toronto. This process is going to be very long and expensive.
I have worked in the XRay Department at the Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton for 25 years. I was diagnosed 14 years ago and was able to work full time until recently. I am on oxygen now most of the time.
Initially, I will have to go to Toronto with a caregiver for a 5 day assessment. After they put me on the transplant list, I will be required to move to within 100 kilometres of the Toronto hospital with my caregiver, who will not be allowed to work. It is a very expensive process so I am asking for the generosity of the public to help me fund my journey. These funds will go to support the lung transplant process and any other expenses that my occur.
My dream right now is to live a normal life again--even if it is just for a few years. I just want to be able breathe again and have some quality of life back.
I will post updates here as soon as I get any more information on this assessment process. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.
Today I begin my journey to the future, instead of waiting for the end of the road.
Thank You
Paula.
This is my aunt, Paula. She needs to raise money for a lung transplant, and we’re looking for the generosity of those who can afford to help. She is only 54 years old, and we refuse to think of her being gone anytime soon
She suffers from a disease called Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency. It is a genetic disorder that causes defective production of alpha 1-antitrypsin (A1AT), leading to decreased A1AT activity in the blood and lungs, and deposition of excessive abnormal A1AT protein in liver cells.
In short, what this means is, her lungs do not function properly.
Picture your lungs being water balloons, and imagine sticking drinking straw into them. Then, bend the straws until they are kinked, and try to suck out the water. That is the most accurate way I can think to describe her disease, to those in the dark.
AATD affects approximately 1 in every 2500 people of European ancestry (Caucasian people). It usually gets misdiagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), until it gets extremely severe, such as in my aunt’s case. After multiple drugs and treatments failed to enhance her quality of life, a diagnosis of AATD was finally established.
As mentioned earlier, she needs a lung transplant, or else she will slowly die. and experiences extreme shortness of breath. We do not think that living with these terrifying conditions are a way for anyone to live out their days.
My aunt is a hard worker, and has held the same position as a hospital secretary for over 20 years. She is well respected and loved, but alas, not very financially wealthy.
She lives on the east coast of Canada, in New Brunswick. In order for her to receive the treatment and transplant, she must move to Toronto, Ontario. She must remain there for a span of up to two years, to be monitored heavily, before, and after, the surgery. As we live in Canada, the treatment is paid for by our healthcare system, which in itself is remarkable. This funding will allow her to move there, and pay for her living expenses. Unfortunately, in order for her to be approved for the whole thing, she has to show proof that she will be able to support herself and pay all the other expenses involved.
I love my aunt. She has watched my siblings and I grow into the adults we are now. We are a very tight knit family, and having already lost our Grandfather, we do not want to say any final goodbyes to anyone, unless they happen to be of natural causes.
We do not have enough money to give her, and she does not have it, either. We are pleading with those who may have the funds to share, to please open their hearts; to please help us save her life.
I urge you to read up on her disease. The two following links provide excellent information regarding AATD:
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/alpha-1-antitrypsin-deficiency
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_1-antitrypsin_deficiency
I realize that expecting money from strangers is shooting high, and I can only hope and pray for the help she needs. Please, if you can assist us with, we would be forever grateful.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for donations.
Alexandre
At present I am at the beginning of the assessment process with the Transplant Team in Toronto. This process is going to be very long and expensive.
I have worked in the XRay Department at the Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton for 25 years. I was diagnosed 14 years ago and was able to work full time until recently. I am on oxygen now most of the time.
Initially, I will have to go to Toronto with a caregiver for a 5 day assessment. After they put me on the transplant list, I will be required to move to within 100 kilometres of the Toronto hospital with my caregiver, who will not be allowed to work. It is a very expensive process so I am asking for the generosity of the public to help me fund my journey. These funds will go to support the lung transplant process and any other expenses that my occur.
My dream right now is to live a normal life again--even if it is just for a few years. I just want to be able breathe again and have some quality of life back.
I will post updates here as soon as I get any more information on this assessment process. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.
Today I begin my journey to the future, instead of waiting for the end of the road.
Thank You
Paula.
This is my aunt, Paula. She needs to raise money for a lung transplant, and we’re looking for the generosity of those who can afford to help. She is only 54 years old, and we refuse to think of her being gone anytime soon
She suffers from a disease called Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency. It is a genetic disorder that causes defective production of alpha 1-antitrypsin (A1AT), leading to decreased A1AT activity in the blood and lungs, and deposition of excessive abnormal A1AT protein in liver cells.
In short, what this means is, her lungs do not function properly.
Picture your lungs being water balloons, and imagine sticking drinking straw into them. Then, bend the straws until they are kinked, and try to suck out the water. That is the most accurate way I can think to describe her disease, to those in the dark.
AATD affects approximately 1 in every 2500 people of European ancestry (Caucasian people). It usually gets misdiagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), until it gets extremely severe, such as in my aunt’s case. After multiple drugs and treatments failed to enhance her quality of life, a diagnosis of AATD was finally established.
As mentioned earlier, she needs a lung transplant, or else she will slowly die. and experiences extreme shortness of breath. We do not think that living with these terrifying conditions are a way for anyone to live out their days.
My aunt is a hard worker, and has held the same position as a hospital secretary for over 20 years. She is well respected and loved, but alas, not very financially wealthy.
She lives on the east coast of Canada, in New Brunswick. In order for her to receive the treatment and transplant, she must move to Toronto, Ontario. She must remain there for a span of up to two years, to be monitored heavily, before, and after, the surgery. As we live in Canada, the treatment is paid for by our healthcare system, which in itself is remarkable. This funding will allow her to move there, and pay for her living expenses. Unfortunately, in order for her to be approved for the whole thing, she has to show proof that she will be able to support herself and pay all the other expenses involved.
I love my aunt. She has watched my siblings and I grow into the adults we are now. We are a very tight knit family, and having already lost our Grandfather, we do not want to say any final goodbyes to anyone, unless they happen to be of natural causes.
We do not have enough money to give her, and she does not have it, either. We are pleading with those who may have the funds to share, to please open their hearts; to please help us save her life.
I urge you to read up on her disease. The two following links provide excellent information regarding AATD:
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/alpha-1-antitrypsin-deficiency
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_1-antitrypsin_deficiency
I realize that expecting money from strangers is shooting high, and I can only hope and pray for the help she needs. Please, if you can assist us with, we would be forever grateful.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for donations.
Alexandre
Organizer
Paula Pobihushchy
Organizer
Fredericton, NB