Proposed Edmonton recovery centre aims to give lung transplant patients financial breathing room
When doctors told Karen Ganong she needed a double lung transplant, she thought they had the wrong person.
What started as a cough in April last year led to several hospital visits and respiratory failure.
Ganong has since been diagnosed with interstitial lung disease.
From Airdrie, Alta., Ganong and her husband Fred have been in Edmonton for three weeks undergoing lung boot camp to strengthen her condition before her transplant.
Alongside the stress about her health, they say finding a way to afford secondary accommodation has taken a toll.
“Sometimes you wonder, are we going to be able to continue to afford this? Do I give up and just die?” she said.
“Just the stress and the anxiety is just beyond what anybody should have to sustain.”
Radio Active6:07Help for lung transplant patients
Coming to Edmonton for a lung transplant can be tough enough without the added stress of housing, so the folks at Alberta Lung are hoping to make it easier. They are fundraising to build Breathing Space a living facility for patients and families awaiting a lung transplant.
Alberta Lung hopes to provide support financially and emotionally with a proposed living facility for patients and families awaiting a transplant.
Breathing Space is designed to not only put a roof over people’s heads, but create gathering spaces for community and family support.
“They need that support, whether it’s mental health or just a community, a coffee chat with another family going through the same thing,” Leigh Allard, president and CEO of Alberta Lung, told CBC’s Radio Active on Monday.
Alberta Lung has secured the land for the project and hopes to break ground next year.
Allard said while they have done some fundraising, additional financial support from government and the community is required to complete the $15-million project.
The University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton is one of only four places in Canada to get a lung transplant.
The city serves the largest geographical area in North America for lung transplants including Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, and northern British Columbia, according to Alberta Lung.
Experiences like those of Karen and Fred Ganong are not uncommon, Allard said — especially for those coming from out of town, as patients are responsible for finding their own accommodation.
“They’re just living like normal Canadians, Albertans. And then they have this added burden that’s out-of-pocket expenses for housing, for food, parking, extra medications, etc.”
“It’s quite burdensome for folks not just financially but emotionally and mentally.”
Because patients go through a four-week boot camp, don’t have an exact timeline for their transplant date, and need a minimum of three months to recover in Edmonton, the cost can run anywhere from a few thousand dollars to up to $100,000, she said.
As for Ganong, when asked what a space like this would mean for patients like her, she said it would be life-changing.
“Without the added burden of the financial accommodations, it would just be amazing,” she said. “It would be safe and close and resources would be there for any education that we needed.”
She hopes that with new lungs, she will be able to get back to what she loves — cooking with her grandchildren.
View original article here Source
Sahara Sailor Water Bottle, 32oz Motivational Sports Water Bottle with Time Marker - Times to Drink - Tritan, BPA Free, Wide Mouth Leakproof, Fast Flow Technology with Clean Brush by Gohippos (1 Bottle)
$14.99 (as of April 18, 2024 09:47 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Love's cabin Silk Satin Pillowcase for Hair and Skin (Dark Gray, 20x30 inches) Slip Pillow Cases Queen Size Set of 2 - Satin Cooling Pillow Covers with Envelope Closure
$8.98 (as of April 18, 2024 09:47 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Apple iPhone 12 Mini, 128GB, Black - Fully Unlocked (Renewed)
$365.00 (as of April 18, 2024 09:47 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
CAMBIVO Knee Brace Support(2 Pack), Knee Compression Sleeve for Running, Hiking, Basketball, Arthritis, ACL, Meniscus Tear, Knee Pain Relief and Injury Recovery
$27.99 (as of April 18, 2024 09:47 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
e.l.f. Squeeze Me Lip Balm, Moisturizing Lip Balm For A Sheer Tint Of Colour, Infused With Hyaluronic Acid, Vegan & Cruelty-free, Strawberry
$4.97 (as of April 18, 2024 09:47 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Rael Miracle Invisible Spot Cover - Absorbing Cover, Skin Care, Facial Stickers, 2 Sizes (96 Count)
$24.99 (as of April 18, 2024 09:47 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
BenSorts Women Men Pillow Sandals Adjustable Buckles Slides Thick Sole
$28.49 (as of April 18, 2024 09:47 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Carhartt Men's Loose Fit Heavyweight Short-Sleeve Pocket T-Shirt
$28.99 (as of April 18, 2024 09:47 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
BOGI Insulated Water Bottle, 20/25oz Vacuum Stainless Steel Water Bottles with Straw & Straw Lid, Leakproof BPA Free Sports Metal Water Bottle-Keeps Drink Hot & Cold for Outdoor Sports Fitness Camping
$15.99 (as of April 18, 2024 09:47 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)