Carter County woman needs lung transplant
From Staff Reports
A group of concerned volunteers have launched
a campaign to help Judy McCullough, a local woman who needs
a lung transplant at Vanderbilt University Hospital.
Local volunteers are working through a national
non-profit organization, National Foundation for Transplants
(NFT), to raise the approximate $25,000 in costs relating
to Ms. McCullough's transplant that will not be covered by
her insurance. The local campaign, chaired by Ms. McCullough's
sister, Linda LaMoure, Bristol, will work to raise the money
through special events, product sales, and appeals to the
public for donations.
Ms. McCullough is the second transplant patient
in her immediate family to require a lung transplant because
of emphysema. Her brother, Gary Roark, Marion, Va., is doing
well after his lung transplant in February and is serving
as treasurer of her NFT campaign.
Before she was disabled by her illness, Ms McCullough
worked for 16 years for Harris-Tarkett Flooring.
As a lung transplant candidate, Ms. McCullough
joins more than 80,000 people who are on the national organ
donor waiting list, including more than 3,832 awaiting lung
transplants. Only 24,110 transplants were performed nationwide
in 2001, including 1,053 lung transplants, because there are
not enough donors available.
Although Ms. McCullough's insurance and Medicare
will cover the cost of her transplant surgery, she faces extensive
out-of-pocket costs for travel, food and lodging because she
and a caregiver will be lodging in Nashville for a minimum
of three months following the transplant.
Those wishing to contribute to Ms. McCullough's
campaign can mail a tax-deductible donation to National Foundation
for Transplants for Judy McCullough, P.O. Box 144, Marion,
VA 24354-3226.
For more information about organ donation, NFT,
or Ms. McCullough's campaign, call 800-489-3863.
Events and activities to raise money for Ms.
McCullough's campaign are now in the planning stages. Those
interested in helping may call her at 542-3773.
