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Help local youth raise funds for lung transplant expenses

While most other university students were hoping for a new cellphone or gaming console this Christmas, Lindsay Wonnacott was asking Santa for something very different; she wanted new lungs. She got part of her Christmas gift early, when on December 21, Toronto General Hospital called, confirming that she was a good candidate for a lung transplant.

To be officially added to the transplant list, she has to move to the GTA to be within the required 2.5 hour distance from Toronto General, the transplant hospital. “We’re not sure how long it will take, or how much this will cost, ” said Lindsay’s mother, Melonie. “We’re just so thankful that the community is getting behind ‘Lungs for Lindsay’.” Melonie will be quitting her job and moving with her daughter, as Lindsay is required to have a support person there and ready for whenever her pager goes off for the transplant.

Not knowing how long they will wait for the transplant is a bit intimidating for the family: “We’ve heard that we could be waiting anywhere from two weeks to two years,” said Melonie. “It’s also hard to wrap my head around knowing that someone else’s child will have to die for mine to live, but this is crucial for Lindsay, as she is at only 17 percent lung function right now… We need to raise funds to help make this happen.”

Lindsay’s Aunt, Cindy Stobie, of Stobie’s Family Restaurant in Desbarats, is organizing a pasta dinner benefit for her, on March 5th at the Elks Lodge in Echo Bay. Tickets are $20, and supporters will have chances at a door prize, raffle prizes, and can enjoy music and entertainment.  For tickets, contact Cindy Stobie at 705-297-1846 or Melonie Wonnacott at 705-987-8230.

“I’m excited, but a little overwhelmed with the journey ahead,” said Lindsay. “Luckily I have a great support network, including my high school sweetheart, Keegan. I’m so thankful that people are trying to help my family and me.”

A fundraising page has been set up for the Wonnacotts, to address the fact that Lindsay and her mother will be eight hours from their family and friends, and their family will be doing this all on only Lindsay’s father’s salary now. So far, over $2,500 has been raised, but their initial goal is $10,000. Donations can be made online at: https://www.gofundme.com/lungsforlindsay

Lindsay was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when she was 11 months old, but her condition has worsened significantly in the last year. A transplant is required to stop her lungs from deteriorating. Most recently, Lindsay has been diagnosed with CF related diabetes and now takes insulin daily; and as well has to wear a portable oxygen concentrator to help her to get enough oxygen.

Now 21 years old, the Echo Bay native will have to put her studies towards a Psychology degree at Algoma University on hold, while waiting at her aunt Buelah Lebel’s house in Lindsay, Ontario, hoping for the pager to beep, signalling they have lungs for her.

“I’ll be travelling to the hospital (two hours away) three times a week to exercise under the care of a physiotherapist as a requirement to get ready for surgery,” said Lindsay. “I’m not sure what that will be like, considering I’ve never been able to exercise before. With bad lungs, I’ve only every been able to do a bit of yoga, but I’m too tired for that now. This lung transplant means I should be able to take a deep breath for the first time, not to mention go for a walk sometime with my boyfriend and dog.”

Cystic fibrosis is a chronic genetic disease, which affects the lungs and digestive system primarily. When both parents carry the Delta f 508 gene, there is a 50 percent chance their offspring will be a carrier, 25 percent chance the child will be unaffected, and a 25 percent chance that the child will get CF.

“What makes this more strange is that doctors have commented that Lindsay doesn’t look sick,” said Melonie. “But after they see her test results, they are shocked. Her heart rate has been as high as 150, but should be 60-80, her blood sugars are 22, when they should be seven. Her lung function is at 17 percent. She’s my baby, and she’s very sick.”

“We have a travel grant, but it only covers part of the costs,” Melonie said. “Parking alone is $20 a day at the hospital in Toronto and we have to travel back and forth to appointments three times a week, cover living expenses, and buy some medical equipment.”

For example, Lindsay is required to purchase a Home Spirometer; an approximately $500 handheld device that tests the air capacity of lungs.

“My husband Tom will be staying at home with my father, the cat, and the dog,” said Melonie. “We’ve been together 27 years and this is the first time we’ll be apart for any length of time. We’re doing whatever we can for Lindsay, and hope others will be generous to help us make Lungs for Lindsay a reality. She’s a very special girl; and she needs this.”

The Wonnacotts will be leaving the Sault at the end of January, to sign the final consent papers and meet with the thoracic surgeon. Then, she will be added to the transplant list.

To help out Lindsay Wonnacott, people can buy tickets to the pasta benefit, donate at the LCBO in Echo Bay for the month of January, or give online at: https://www.gofundme.com/lungsforlindsay

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