Last Thursday as I sat down at my desk the first email that I opened had a brief message requesting that I read the attached letter from an IRHS teacher, Theresa Chavez. This is Theresa's first year teaching at IRHS in the English department. I had the opportunity to work with her on the school site council and really respected her input and involvement on the committee. The Northwest Explorer recently ran a story about her commitment to her students and her involvement with her homeless students both in the classroom and beyond.
Theresa's letter was a personal appeal for help for her husband Timothy who has end stage liver disease. I was astonished to realize that she has been living through this difficult family situation and yet was able to come to work each day to educate and encourage students.
We had a chance to meet Friday afternoon to talk about her family and the support that is needed. They have two children, twelve year old Ryan, and Isabella who is nineteen months. Timothy's health concerns have been a major part of their life for the last six years and he is now running out of time. He is a candidate for a liver transplant and is currently on transplant lists in Arizona and Florida. They have appeals out for a living donor but no one has come forward.
We sat quietly for a few minutes and then Theresa said, "I can't handle losing him." She has decided that she will donate a part of her liver to help save her husband's life and she will undergo medical testing on May 7th to see if she is a candidate. This was not an easy decision, as she must consider the risk involved to herself and her children. If Theresa is a candidate, they will move forward to schedule the transplant in early June at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. "Please pray for us and a healthy outcome," requested Theresa, "prayers are really needed and appreciated."
Fortunately they have health insurance that will cover the majority of cost involved for the liver transplant and medication. However there are uninsured costs. Theresa estimates that they need $10,000 to help cover these uninsured costs. A fundraising campaign has been established in Timothy's name with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization established to assist transplant patients in the community. Donations are tax-deductible and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant related expenses only.
Theresa and her family need our help. She needs the support of family and friends to help them through recovery after the transplant. Their immediate need is for financial support to be able to schedule the transplant. Please consider making a donation to help Theresa save her husband's life (see below). Please forward this letter to friends and family and ask that they consider a donation too.
Our teachers do so much for our children; I hope we can help Theresa in her time of need.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Bean
Co-President, IRHS NPO
