Scream For Liz Again

"We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone." -Ronald Reagan

A small update is in order on a recent article I wrote about Liz Rieckmann called "Scream Out For Liz."

First and foremost is that after over a year of waiting, a pair of lungs became available last week. The sadness for another family has created hope and joy in the hearts of the Rieckmann family. Liz underwent the double-lung transplant at Emory Hospital in Atlanta late last week.

Her condition is still guarded at this time with the normal concerns and cautions that exist. This is major league deal and your prayers are needed for her, the doctors, staff and family. When you do say those prayers, say one for the anonymous donor.

As I have said before many times, you impact people in ways you may never know. A prayer said, a comment passed inspires someone to become an organ donor. That person places a card in their wallet and one day, unknowingly dies and his/her organs are used to save the lives of others. You see, everything that you do, large or small matters.

For Liz Rieckmann, the battle for survival continues as she recovers from the transplant. The hard work of getting past these initial days continues. The long road to full recovery will take time and your generous gifts to help pay for her recovery are also needed. So if you can help out by giving a tax-deductible gift, it will scream out support for Liz until she can herself.

You can learn about Liz Rieckmann here and more importantly, your tax-deductible gift can be DONATED HERE. If you wish to send a check in the mail, please send it to;

NFT Georgia Transplant Fund
5350 Poplar Avenue, Suite 430
Memphis, TN 38119

And be sure to write "in honor of Liz Rieckmann" on the memo line.

Keep screaming out for Liz and stay inspired my friends.

Scream Out for Liz

"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream." -John Lennon

As the year of 2011 is nearing an end, each of us are looking forward to what will come in the new one. The year of 2012 holds great promise for each of us. And most of us have the luxury of good health, reasonable financial stability and general goodness happening in our lives.

Others are not so fortunate and have a more direct want for 2012. For them, each day that goes by gives hope and promise for greater things, most of which is life. One such person is Liz Rieckmann and when she was only 7 years old, was diagnosed with cancer. Doctors only gave her a 50/50 chance, but she beat cancer!

Then in 2009, she was a young woman interning with the Brown University theater program. She noticed that she was getting extremely winded at work. During a Christmas break, she went home and visited her doctor who had her hospitalized right away due to pneumonia. After several tests and a biopsy, Liz received a disheartening diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis, a disease that severely scars the lungs.

Doctors have determined that a double-lung transplant is critical to her survival. So while awaiting her transplant, Liz must rely on an oxygen tank 24 hours a day to breathe. Despite these challenges, Liz loves life and is grateful for her supportive network of family and friends who have made her life so special. She is especially thankful for her mom and dad, as they do everything they can to make sure Liz has the best possible care.

Now to the "ask" of my readers.

A good friend of ours, Ruth Perry, is heading up a local fund-raising effort to get the monies needed for the transplant. The needed double-lung transplant for Liz costs nearly $800,000. And that's only the beginning. Even with health coverage, she faces significant expenses. She will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications for the rest of her life. Post-transplant medications are very costly, and they are as critical to her survival as the transplant itself.

I appreciate you sticking with me on this long article, but what can you do?

You can help by donating a few dollars now and encouraging others to do the same. If you wish to read more about Liz Rieckmann and more importantly, make a tax-deductible donation, CLICK HERE.

If you wish to send a check in the mail, please send it to the

NFT Georgia Transplant Fund
5350 Poplar Avenue, Suite 430
Memphis, TN 38119

Please be sure to write "in honor of Liz Rieckmann" on the memo line.

To involve yourself in this or any such noble effort to assist others is important. Many people in need of help or assistance will politely ask others in their time of need. What we are here to do for the Rieckmanns is to be the ones to "scream out" to the rest of the world.

You can help Liz with your generous gift and then "scream out" to others. Together we can help make a huge difference in another persons 2012. We can help give them life.