Hi, my name is Dana. I am Diane's little sister. Diane is the one who needs our help!  We recently found out that Diane's lungs are no longer working like they should. Right now, it looks as if she will be needing a double lung transplant, the sooner the better!!  Of course, no one ever prepares to hear those words. 

So, upon being handed this diagnosis, Diane, her friends, and her family went to work seeking any and all options available to a patient described as having "4th stage" COPD.  It was while seeking these options that Diane has become more and more hopeful in stem cell research. The documented research in this field of medical treatment is quite extensive and the results are extremely encouraging but still not yet approved by the government or insurance companies. Can you imagine Diane's frustration?  Knowing there is a procedure which shows such promise at totally & quickly restoring her quality of life, and to have this dangled in front of her face but held out of her reach because she alone cannot financially afford such a simple procedure! Thus, Diane's dilemma! 

There are only two options available to Diane -  lung transplant, which she also still has to qualify for in order to be a recipient, and usually that procedure takes a couple of years before the actual transplant occurs, or Stem cell therapy which uses her own cells to generate new cells aimed specifically at repairing her lung cells The lung transplant will fortunately be covered by her insurance, leaving the "cost of living" needs to be provided for. The stem cell treatment however is not covered at all by insurance, as it is considered an experimental procedure not yet regulated by the FDA.  Currently stem Cells have allowed patients like Diane to make noticeable changes to their quality of life. Though not FDA approved, the results are showing GREAT promise with MANY success stories which are increasing everyday. Your donation towards our goal of $12,000.00 will actually cover the cost of two (2) treatments of stem cells (which is the preferred method), as well as any traveling expenditures. This would be conducted at the Lung Institute located in Scottsdale, Az.  Diane originally located them having replied to a listing under stem cell research as she was looking to be involved in free clinical trials. She has searched extensively and I believe has exhausted all avenues of ways to obtain this treatment at little to no cost, and the price she has available to her is the "patient self-funded" cost involved in being a part of a clinical trial.

For the past year and a half, Diane & her husband Gregg have taken in, and selflessly provided a home to a beautiful little 7 year old girl who desperately needs their fostering and a safe home. They have never asked anything in return and have generously showered the child with genuine love and affection. The child of her own accord, truly considers them as her other Grandparents  She insists on being  "Miss Diane's" partner in this endeavor no matter where it takes them.  I pray for her sake as well as Diane's that we are able to reach our goal for Diane to receive this stem cell treatment.  Together we can do this!!  Please Help!

You can also take pride in your donation knowing that it not only helps Diane, but it also helps contribute to moving science forward as we struggle to learn more about stem cell research.  

We pray that God's will be done and we ask for your generosity, your prayers, and your best wishes.