Recovery Fund for Dave Schantz & Judy Bache

Hello Friends,

Our friend, colleague, fellow volunteer and family Dave Schantz has recently been faced with outrageously challenging circumstances. I am reaching out on behalf of Judy and Dave to ask for your help. Both Dave & Judy have been out of work for a significant period, and the care Dave will need while he recovers will continue as he navigates his recovery. This has left them in a difficult spot financially. We'd love to support them to help carry them through. Dave has been so altruistic and it is our turn to give back to him & the love of his life, Judy.

Dave has been a volunteer EMS Provider and Educator for the last 22 years proudly serving Bristol Rescue, Mad River Valley Ambulance Service and recently Waterbury Ambulance Service. He has cared for and helped hundreds of neighbors at all hours of the day and night. He stepped up during the COVID-19 response to provide testing and vaccinations to our region and throughout the State. Dave is a CPR Instructor and has taught community members life-saving skills. Dave was a Ski Patroller at Sugarbush Resort for more than 15 years. It's needless to say that Dave is passionate about helping others.

Timeline:

July 2022- Dave was diagnosed with Cardiac amyloidosis. Cardiac amyloidosis ("stiff heart syndrome") occurs when amyloid deposits take the place of the normal heart muscle.

October 15, 2022- Dave was flown from The University of Vermont Medical Center to Mass General and was accepted as a patient into the Heart Failure and Transplant Program.

October 25, 2022- Dave was placed on the Heart Transplant List with an unknown timeline of how long it would take him to get a heart.

November 5, 2022- We all breathed a sigh of relief and jumped for joy when Dave received his heart transplant. He spent just two weeks in the hospital and came home ready to work. With Doctor's approval, Dave was back to doing EMS transport calls and teaching CPR, shortly after he was back on the truck responding to 911 calls.

February 19, 2023- After several days of what he thought was traumatic pain in his chest from straining too hard, Dave was seen at UVMMC. They determined he had a Staph infection in his lungs. He was once again flown to Mass General. This infection led to Pneumonia and multiple chest tubes that left him in the ICU.

March 3, 2023- Dave was moved to a step-down unit.

March 17, 2023- Dave was moved to Spaulding Rehab until at least the middle of April. Upon his return to Vermont, he will need continuous home care, dialysis treatments three times a week and physical therapy until further notice.

March 21, 2023- Dave finally could make a phone call using Siri.

He asked to share:

1. That he misses and loves everyone.

2. For help making sure his NREMT Certification stays valid (OF COURSE!)

3. To ask for help for him and Judy, this is where YOU come in.

Please consider giving any amount that is meaningful to you to help Dave & Judy. Judy will do her best to post updates as Dave continues his recovery.