Former RVC Teacher Fundraising After Multivisceral Transplant

Six years ago, Kathy Burns began having problems with her digestive system -- problems that eventually led to her stomach being removed.

Things have not gotten much easier in the last six years for Burns, a former Rockville Centre art teacher from South Hempstead. In that time, she has had an incredible , according to her husband Brian.

After her stomach was removed, Kathy's small intestine began to serve as the stomach, Brian said.

"Eventually, the small intestine developed repeated obstructions requiring many surgeries," he said. "Finally, Kathy developed intestinal failure and was told that her only real chance at a normal life would be to have a multivisceral transplant."

The tides finally turned for Kathy on Nov. 21, 2010, when she successfully received her transplant, which included a new stomach, small intestine, duodenum and pancreas.

Brian said that even with insurance, Kathy has faced "many uninsured, transplant-related expenses." Those expenses include "co-pays and deductibles, doctor visits, travel and lodging to and from the medical center in Pittsburgh for frequent check-ups, 'hardship expenses' (our mortgage and utilities) and the costly immunosuppressant medications that she will need to take for the rest of her life."

The fundraising page reads:

To help with some of these uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in Kathy’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive (formerly NTAF), a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for nearly 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the New York Multi-Visceral Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only.

Residents can bid for auction items, the proceeds of which will go to the Burns family. The auction items include gift certificates to local Rockville Centre restaurants, golf trips and jewelry.

However, residents do not have to participate in the auction and can directly donate to Kathy's fund at the bottom of the page.

Click here if you are interested in donating or bidding on an auction item.