My Story

My name is Carol (Simmons) Launius.  I need a double lung transplant to continue to live.

I have never in my life asked for help, even in very hard times.  But now, I am desperate to continue my life with my beautiful grandchildren and family, and I need your help to save my life. 

In 2010 I was diagnosed with final stages of lung disease.  Since then, my disease has progressed to where I have to have a double lung transplant in order to survive per my doctor at Spectrum Heart and Lung, Dr. Reba Gargis, Director. 

I have a wonderful husband who should be retired, but continues to work to pay my bills.  My husband, Dan, and I have five children and a young granddaughter who is the brightest spot in my life right now.  I am thankful I have survived to welcome her into the world, and to have already had more time with her than was once thought possible.  It breaks my heart that I have become too weak to hold her, and that I may not be here to see her grow up.

For the last four years I have gone through surgeries, testing and been in-and-out of the hospital.  The things I love the most I can no longer do.  I am on oxygen 24/7 and most of my days are spent inside my house because I cannot get in enough oxygen. 

It is important for me to know that you feel assured this is not a fraudulent plea for money, and I feel you should know where your donations are going.  That is one of the many reasons I have chosen The National Foundation for Transplants for help in my venture to raise money for my medical expenses, anti-rejection medications, and all the other related expenses for which we cannot pay. 

I do have insurance, for which I am so very grateful, that will pay the majority of the surgery (the average double-lung transplant costs nearly $800,000). However, the costs for which we will still be responsible are beyond our grasp.  For example, a recent estimate of just my portion of the cost of medications is $1,842.00 per month for life.  And, beyond the cost of the transplant itself, there are many other expenses related to the surgery, ongoing after care, and the medications which are critical for the success of the transplant and my survival which are insurmountable.

People have asked why I would go thru all of this

knowing that I could die on the table.  

I will certainly die if I do not.  

I want this chance at life to be with my family and enjoy what life has to offer.  I never imagined my retirement to be this way, I thought wow, grandchildren, flower beds, my house projects, my dogs, my family, the beach, take a ride to see the lake or sights, visiting friends, going for ice cream. 

 Wouldn’t it be wonderful to take the grand-kids to Disney?  Oh such simple things and I do miss them. My lungs are bad but my heart is good, in my mind I feel young and I do try to enjoy every moment I can.  

I worked very hard my whole life.  I raised my first son alone and he has multiple significant health and mental challenges with which I still help him. I am very proud of where he is today compared to what doctors told me 40 years ago.  

Loving him as I do, I have no regrets; yet, I have lived and experienced the heart aches and challenges.

I
 believe this is a large part of why it has been my passion to help single Moms trying to clothe their children, or any family struggling to put food on the table, in any way I could when I was able.  

I want to be able to do that again, 

and for many years to come.

I have never been on Twitter or had a blog, etc., so I have enlisted a very special friend to help me.  Thank you, Barb, for proving my belief that prayers are answered.  

You, too, can help answer prayers by making a tax-deductible donation to:

NFT  in my honor, Carol Launius.   To do so, you can follow this link:

I want to make a donation in honor of Carol Launius

Or, if you prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to the NFT Michigan Transplant Fund, 5350 Poplar Avenue, Suite 430fe, Memphis, TN 38119.   Please be sure to write "In Honor of Carol Launius" on the memo line.

Or, you can visit my Go-Fund-Me Page: 

I want to make a donation to Carol's "Go Fund Me" Account

You can also help by passing this on to others.  No amount is too small.  

Unless I can show I can support the care of new lungs,I will be removed from the transplant recipient wait list.

  

Thank you for your compassion, your generosity, and your gift of life!