Now to the 'Fund' Part...

This November will mark the 4 year anniversary of Cris’ diagnosis with PH, and she has defied all of the prognosis reports she’s been given thus far! We are so thankful to have her with us as she continues to spread love, joy, and encouragement to everyone. Since she’s begun battling, she’s seen the birth of two granddaughters who brighten her life in special ways, and have given her even more reason not to give up. With all that we have to be thankful for, we are still very aware that we are in a battle. Cris’ disease is in its last stage. She is currently on the transplant list for a new set of lungs, and an anticipated surgery is set to be performed at the Cleveland Clinic in OH, one of the country’s best hospitals.

Despite the fact that many lungs have already been given to other recipients because they have not matched Cris, the doctors are still saying that there is hope, and that the matching lungs could arrive any minute. So we continue to believe that she will have another opportunity to live life to the fullest and have an impact on those around her for years to come. When a matching pair of lungs arrives, the Cleveland Clinic will notify Jack and Cris and then send a private jet to transport them to Cleveland where final tests will be performed to ensure the best success rate. The operation will then take place. After the operation, Cris can expect to stay in the hospital a couple of weeks and then be discharged to rehabilitate anywhere from 8 to 10 weeks. During this time Jack will no doubt be by her side encouraging her healing, and I (Nicole) will be traveling back and forth as much as possible.

Until then, every two months, Jack and Cris travel to Cleveland for her examinations by the transplant team. This is a long and difficult endeavor, but they have been able to make the most of it. Jack has considerably reduced his business workload to be able to give Cris around-the-clock care. Who knew that he would turn out to be so great a nurse and caregiver?!? We are amazed at the sacrificial love that he has displayed again and again.

Unfortunately, with all the travel expenses to Ohio and North Carolina, and the impending uninsured costs of the transplant, rehabilitation, medication, and caretaker expenses in Cleveland, our family is looking at what seems to be an ever-increasing pile of potential financial hardship. We have come to the humbling realization that we cannot do everything on our own. We have been blessed to be surrounded by faithful friends and family, coworkers and neighbors who have asked again and again, “what can I do to help?”

Asking for help is never easy, and you may know that it is especially hard for someone who is used to giving the help. With that being said, we would like to ask you to consider how you may help the Malseed family in our time of need. Here are a few ways:

• We have partnered with the National Transplant Assistance Fund, a non-profit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for the past 25 years. All contributions are administered by NTAF exclusively for uninsured transplant-related expenses. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. You can send your tax-deductible donations with the attached form to: NTAF South-Atlantic Lung Transplant Fund, 150 N. Radnor Chester Rd., Ste. F-120, Radnor, PA 19087. Print in memo section of check: “In Honor of Cris Malseed” or donate online at www.transplantfund.org and enter Malseed in the box on the NTAF homepage.
• Every uplifting word can help Cris and Jack. You can encourage them by dropping a note in the mail or email (crismalseed@hotmail.com, jackmalseed@hotmail.com). You can also follow updates through our blog: http://battlingph.blogspot.com.
• We believe in a mighty God who has the power to do anything…far beyond what we can even ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20)! It would mean so much for you to join us in praying for God’s will to be done in this situation, for Him to provide through His people, and for Him to be glorified in our lives. Pray for continued strength and patience for our family as we battle Pulmonary Hypertension.

Thank you in advance for your love and support.
Joyfully,

The Malseed Family (Cris, Jack, and Nicole Berry)

Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by the law. This campaign is administered by the National Transplant Assistance Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing fundraising assistance to transplant and catastrophic injury patients. Information: 800-642-8399.