HelpHOPELive (formerly NTAF)

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Richard Storsberg

Southeast Lung Transplant Fund
Englewood, FL

Dear Family and Friends,

Last year I was planning my retirement, I was ready to travel around the U.S. and visit all the wonderful National Parks and do a little volunteer work. The shock came when I went to my yearly physical exam and I was diagnosed with Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Breathing is something most of us take for granted. I know I did. But as this disease progresses your lungs do not provide the air you need, your body becomes paralyzed and you can’t move.

After breathing tests, x-rays, a cat scan of my lungs, and a surgical lung biopsy the results showed that a lung transplant was going to be necessary. In March, I was scheduled at the Mayo Clinic for a nine day series of tests and was medically approved for a lung transplant. As my condition deteriorates I will be placed on and move up the waiting list.

This brings me to the purpose of my letter. Organ transplantation is lifesaving, but expensive. My insurance will only cover 80% of my surgery. I will need help with immune suppressant medications, which I will have to take for the rest of my life, and other uninsured expenses. As a result, Mayo Clinic transplant department recommended fundraising.

To help ease this financial burden, a fundraising campaign in my honor has been established with HelpHOPELive for my uninsured expenses. HelpHOPELive is a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for more than 28 years. Thank you for your consideration of a tax-deductible donation.

Make checks payable to:
HelpHOPELive Southeast Lung Transplant Fund

Note in memo section:
In Honor of Richard Storsberg

Mail to:
HelpHOPELive
Two Radnor Corporate Center
100 Matsonford Road, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087

For secure credit card donations:
Call 800-642-8399 or click the "DONATE NOW" button.

Your financial gifts will be greatly appreciated and will help me make it through this difficult time.

With sincere gratitude,

Richard Storsberg

941 474 4029

richardstorsberg@verizon.net

Paddle to Battle Lung Disease: Grande Tours will be sponsoring guided tours and a picnic to raise money for Rick Storsberg.
Rick is a local paddler and worked as a Florida State park ranger at Oscar Scherer and Don Pedro Island State parks. Rick spent the last 10 years working for the Sarasota County Park system at the Carlton Reserve and at Lemon Bay Park. Rick has worked on and off at Grande Tours and has offered his assistance to many of the local kayak clubs, giving free rescue training. He organized the Sarasota County Greenland Style rolling competition and has volunteered with the Charlotte County and Lee County kayak festivals. He has been diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a non treatable lung disease and will need a lung transplant.

Rick has spent his career serving the community. Lets offer him a helping hand.
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