The Hawkins Family Liver Transplant Recovery Fund

Hello World! 

Kathleen Hawkins is my sister and my favorite one! :)  Kathleen is a very special person; spiritual, faithful, caring, and patient!  Kathleen is the second of four children in our family.  She is  49 years old and has been helping people since she was 12!  And now its time for me, her youngest brother Thom, to ask of others to help her.

As time has passed and after many years living in Central Florida, Kathleen had relocated to Hendersonville, TN.  Where Kathleen serves her new community for their Chamber of Commerce.    Kathleen is very spiritual and has trust in her Lord.  And for whatever reason, and without warning Kathleen became deathly ill.  In late 2018, and early 2019 Kathleen was dying without reason.  Test, after test, after test, they could not determine what was causing her issues.  The illness caused missed time off of work, extended medical bills on the one income family for over two years now.  It's been tough on them, but they have made due as a family the best as they could.

Answers final came and Kathleen was officially diagnosed with an auto immune disease in 2020 that effected her liver.  Her liver was failing and failing very quick.   Her Meld scores were north of 20 and so severe that she was placed on a living or deceased donor transplant list.   She has been on the list for nearly 8 months and dodging all the issues with the Covid -19 virus, and thank the good Lord she didn't contract the virus; for that would of killed her without question.  For 8 months my sister wore a monitor and was not allowed to be outside a 1 hour radius of Vanderbilt University Hospital.

Well yesterday, 1/22/2021, she received the call and within 45 mins Kathleen and her husband Jeff were at the hospital!  She had a donor!  The events that occurred from the call to the transplant were very emotional.  But when Kathleen learned the donor was a younger women that left this life too early, in Kathleen fashion, she prayed for that person and her family first!  

At 10pm, Kathleen was notified the donor liver was indeed ready for transplant.  Kathleen went into surgery. The amazing doctors performed an amazing 7+ hour emergency liver removal and transplant over night and completed this morning (1.23.2021) at 5:30am.   The surgery went well, but she will be in ICU for quite some time as she attempts to heal.   The anticipated healing time is unknown for Kathleen and the medical bills will certainly be overwhelming for their family.  Kathleen does have insurance through the Chamber but with her unknown recovery time and rehab; her insurance and the short term ins coverage will not provide the adequate coverage her family needs over the next year.  Please help me help a person that has been helping people for over 3 decades!  

When Kathleen was young, she had an intense vision and desire to serve and help people and quickly found her self in the educational and career services world leading young people into the workforce.  Using her business, communication, and confidence she organized and led some very important initiatives in the Central Florida region.  Two of my personal favorites were her position with Heart Gallery of Central Florida and Devereux.

The first commitment I cherish was to the Heart Gallery of Central Florida! It was here where Kathleen leveraged and donated her own heart and time to the group and married Jeff Hawkins photography to photo document the special children and young adults to the loving families looking to foster and love those who had previously been deprived!   Kathleen led a series of movements that led to dozens upon dozens of children finding their forever homes!   

http://www.heartgallerycfl.org/#!/page/69026/home


The second was to Devereux!  Devereux is a  non-profit behavioral health organization serving underprivileged children and adults with disabilities, disorders, and other illnesses.    After serving as a Foster Parent, a Volunteer, and a Consultant, it seemed natural to serve as a board member with Devereux of Florida. My role was to raise money, bring contacts to the organization, and act as ambassadors to the community. This selfless act serving on the Board of Directors  for lasted for over two years!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devereux_Foundation


The most amazing part of these two initiatives mentioned above that fully communicate Kathleen's love for other people is the addition to her family, our family.  Michelle Hawkins adopted at age 3 1/2.  And in Kathleen fashion, they allowed to pick her own new middle name!  Michelle choose Annelise.  Now today, after 16 1/2 years Michelle Annelise Hawkins is doing exactly what her mommy taught her; to serve! PFC Hawkins in the United States Army!

As Michelle grew, so did Kathleen's heart.  At 6 months old, Rachel Marie Hawkins came to Kathleen and Jeff.    The agency asked them to temporarily house Rachel, but it wasn't an option for my sister!  Her and her amazing husband promptly initiated the adoption paperwork.  Rachel shares a middle name with her mommy!   Today as a beautiful 15 year old, Ray Ray (as I call her) might be the best artist I have ever seen at this age.  Led by Kathleen Rachel's family has constantly supported, encouraged, and loved their way to support what makes her extra special. Disney Animation here we come!

The adoption of two children is pretty special, and our extended family were immediately bless with two brilliant children longing for love!  It was here in Kathleen's care where they found just that!

As Kathleen and Jeff settled in with their new family, the phone rang again!  This time one day after Christmas in 2006!  Brandon Gregory Hawkins joined the family at one day old!  Now at 14 years old, Brandon is one of the most caring, polite, respectful, and friendliest people I have ever met!  All the same attributes that one can find in Kathleen Hawkins!

She has always served her churches, public groups and even created her own company in 2007 called WOAMTEC, a premier networking group to empower (WBE) women owner business enterprises.   They  are running strong and powerful after all these years!

http://www.woamtec.com/sub.asp?PageID=23

I am simply asking the caring people of the world to donate just a bit with me to help Kathleen and her amazing family find peace and comfort during the much needed recovery period.  Our goal is to exceed the planned cost to the family of $10,000 dollars in deductibles, overage cost for surgery, medicine, supplies, salary gap, and other unforeseen conditions. 

God Bless you for reading Kathleen's Story!

Her baby brother - Thom!