Chantay Evans-Glisson (provided)CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV)-- Chantay Evans-Glisson has been struggling to breathe for almost a decade but to do so, she needs a double lung transplant.
According to her aunt, Jannie Brown, Chantay is being treated for diagnosed with sarcoidosis, which causes inflammation in the lymph nodes in her lungs. She's currently at MUSC in Charleston but her doctors want to move her to Duke Medical Center in Durham, N.C. for her treatment and transplant.
Her lungs are currently functioning at only 25 percent, and doctors say a double-lung transplant is critical to her survival. Before she can be added to the transplant waiting list, she must raise enough money to prove she can afford her post-transplant medications and care.
"Immediately we need $10,000 to be able to move to Duke and get the transplant process going," said Ms. Brown. The amount was originally $25,000 but Duke Medical Center has lowered their requirement to be added to their transplant list.
The costs are staggering. A double-lung transplant can cost up to $650,000. Even with health coverage, Chantay will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications for the rest of her life. The cost of her post-transplant medications can range from $2,000 to $5,000 per month, and they are as critical to her survival as the transplant itself.
Duke put the family in touch with the National Foundation for Transplants for assistance. The NFT is a nonprofit organization that helps patients raise funds to pay for transplant-related expenses.
The entire community is coming together to help. In addition to several fundraising events, local barber shops and businesses are doing what they can to help out.
Fundraising Events for Chantay:
A Friday Fish Fry
•Jan. 20th from 11am to 2pm
•House of God Church
•2214 Adair St. Charleston
Meals are $8 and include 2 pieces of fish, red rice, green beans, macaroni and cheese, cornbread and cake. red rice, green beans, macaroni and cheese, cornbread and cake.
Dinners must be pre-ordered by Jan. 18, and they can be picked up at the church or delivered at no additional charge.
Gospel Concert
•Sat. Feb. 18th from 6pm to 9pm
•Sterett Hall
•1530 7th St. and Hobson Ave. in North Charleston
Tickets are $10 in advance/$15 at the door and can be purchased at Honest John Gospel Records and CDs at 509 King Street
Call: 843-722-9496
Other events include a Hat Show in March and a Crab Crack after the Cooper River Bridge Run. Details for those events are to be determined.
"Can you imagine fighting for every single breath you take?" said Lauren Wilmer, NFT fundraising consultant. "That's the reality for Chantay. While most of us take the act of breathing for granted, she's painfully aware of each breath. But she's a fighter, and she is determined to overcome this illness so she can spend many more years with her family and friends. NFT is committed to helping Chantay raise the necessary funds so she can get on the waiting list as soon as possible."
For more information on how you can help or to attend any of the fundraising events,contact Jannie Brown at 843-412-1035 or email her at leolady127@yahoo.com.
To make a tax-deductible gift in honor of Evans-Glisson, you can send a check to:
The NFT South Carolina Transplant Fund,
5350 Poplar Ave., Suite 430,
Memphis, TN 38119
Please be sure to write "in honor of Chantay Evans-Glisson" on the memo line.
You can also visit Chantay's page on the NFT website by clicking here.
All donations are tax deductible.
