Fund-raiser for rare double-lung transplant

Melissa Kick of Mundelein has been approved for a rare double-lung transplant but she’ll need some help to make it happen.

Kick, 33, was born with cystic fibrosis, a medical condition that has slowly deteriorated her lungs to a point where she spends more time in the hospital than out, said aunt Cynthia Peart.

Kick has been placed on a transplant list, but needs to raise $60,000 for her private share of the costly surgery at University of Chicago, Peart said. Medicare is covering the largest portion of the cost, Peart said.

“We are doing everything we can to raise the money,” she said. “She is such a strong woman and pushing so hard. We really want to make this happen for her.”

To help raise the money needed, the “Breath Easy Benefit” is slated for noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 18 at the Rail House Tavern at 151 E. Grand Ave., Lake Villa.

Vendors selling wares at the event include Scentsy, Mia Sophia, Cookie Lee, Bippity Boppity Bows, Tastefully Simple, Tupperware, Etch This Glass Etching, Doggie Treats and Story Boards, Mary Kay, and many more, Peart said. All will donate a portion of their proceeds to Kick’s medical expenses.

“Her friends and family have been working day and night trying to come up with way to raise the money,” Peart said. “This is just one of the ideas we have to try and bring money in.”

Cystic fibrosis is a medical disorder that prevents the body from absorbing nutrients properly, Peart said. The disease causes a sticky mucus to form on the lungs to prevent them from properly collecting oxygen, she said.

“It really makes breathing nearly impossible,” she said. “My niece’s days and nights currently consist of constant treatments to try and get the gunk out of her lungs just so she can breathe.”

Peart said they must move swiftly because Kick is slowly running out of time. She said Kick was just released from a three-week hospital stay, and is sick again.

“But she has a very positive outlook on the whole thing,” Peart said. “We have money coming in, but at the rate it’s been going, it’s going to take a long time.”

People who cannot attend the event can still donate using a major credit card or PayPal at kickmemorialfund.bbnow.org.