Fundraiser to Help Standale Woman Awaiting Lung Transplant

For Anya Maciulewski, every breath is a struggle. She needs a lifesaving double-lung transplant, but the costs are overwhelming. Volunteers are planning a fundraiser to help.

Volunteers are planning “Pancakes for Anya,” a pancake breakfast at the Standale/Walker Applebee’s, 4475 Lake Michigan Drive NW, on Saturday June 2 from 8-10 a.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the door at $7 per person and $4 per child ages 4-10. Children 3 and under are free. Breakfast includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, bacon, juice, pop and coffee.

You can also donate online HERE at the Transplants.Org website if you're not into pancakes (and if you're not, what's wrong with you?!).

Anya's Story:

When she was 2, doctors discovered a brain tumor, which required chemotherapy. The following year, she underwent radiation to her head and spine. At ages 11 and 12, she successfully completed treatments for two more brain tumors.

In 2010, Maciulewski, now 27, was unable to breathe, and her parents rushed her to the ER, where she was put into a drug-induced coma. After eight weeks, she was able to return home, but later that year was hospitalized again for seven weeks, four of which she required life support. Sadly, the chemotherapy and radiation caused severe scarring of her lungs, leading to pulmonary fibrosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome and interstitial lung disease. Doctors say a double-lung transplant is critical to her survival.

The average double-lung transplant costs nearly $800,000. And that’s only the beginning. Although her health insurance will cover the transplant itself, she’ll still face expenses for follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications for the rest of her life.