A former Goodrich resident is trying to raise money for a double lung transplant.
Jackie McCain, of Lapeer, was diagnosed with Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM Disease) Sept. 6, 2005.
According to the American Lung Association, ? Lymphangioleiomyomatosis…is a rare disorder of unknown etiology characterized by an unusual type of muscle cell that invades the tissues of the lungs, including the airways, and blood and lymph vessels. Over time, these muscle cells form into bundles that obstruct the flow of air, preventing the lungs from providing oxygen to the rest of the body.? The disorder affects primarily women.
‘Basically, it fills up your lungs and my heart’s enlarged to account for my lower oxygen intake, said McCain, 36. ‘There’s really no cure for it, no treatment.?
Although an estimated 1,000 women in the United States have the disease, the exact number affected is unknown.
For McCain ,her husband Charles, 38, daughter Krystal and son CJ, the disease has been life-altering.
‘I’m on oxygen 24 hours a day. It’s difficult to do house chores? luckily my family’s helping out tremendously.? said McCain. ‘I don’t work anymore. I go to physical therapy to keep my strength up. I spend a lot of time going to doctors… lots of tests and stuff.?
McCain said her family has been dealing with the situation well.
‘They’ve had to take over the house chores. My son doesn’t understand the whole transplant thing ‘but he’s nine years old and I’m kind of glad for that. My daughter on the other hand, she’s 15 and she kind of understands the magnitude of that.?
News that her insurance would not cover enough of her prescription costs to make her initially eligible to be on the lung transplant list at the University of Michigan Medical Center came as a shock to McCain. And though she has since been added to the list, she still needs to raise the estimated $80,000 one year of prescriptions will cost.
If McCain can find a way to manage costs for the first two years after surgery, she will be able to use Medicare for her prescription coverage afterward..
‘There’s a huge amount of medical expenses,? said McCain. ‘Six-thousand dollars would basically be one month worth of medicine.?
To combat medical costs, McCain’along with her friends and family’has been having fundraisers to generate funds.
‘What were doing is basically raising money for prescriptions,? McCain said. ‘I think we’re up to around $28,000.?
The next fundraiser, a silent auction, will be 3-6 p.m. April 30 at the Lapeer Country Club, 3786 Hunt Road.
A variety of items will be available for bid, including: a slot machine; paintings; a day of beauty; dog grooming and more.
Advanced tickets are $20 and a limited number of tickets will be available for $25 at the door. Proceeds will be donated to the National Transplant Assistance Fund for McCain’s medical expenses.