This article was updated at 5 p.m. on Jan. 16, 2013
Josie Nordman of Homewood was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a chronic and frequently fatal lung disease, when she was only four months old.
Now, at 19, the Northwestern University sophomore is left with only 22 percent of her lung function. Last December, she was added to the lung transplant list.
A transplant is her only hope of surviving.
Unfortunately, that hope comes with a hefty $50,000 to $75,000 price tag. While insurance is covering a large amount of it, the remainder is still more than the Nordman family can afford.
“We are struggling to pay our monthly bills due to so many medical costs that we have no idea how to come up with this kind of money,” Josie’s mother Nicolle Nordman said on Facebook. “We need a miracle …”
Nicolle Nordman turned to Facebook for help. A former teacher of Josie’s took it a step further and set up a website where anybody can donate money towards the cause. They’ve already collected $1,300 from friends and strangers alike, but much more is needed. No donation is too small.
If every family in H-F donated $10 today, the Nordman's could pay for the operation in full.
Thank you for passing it on!
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/312551/x/2117935?show_todos=true
This fundraiser has been set up by a 1988 HF graduate who was a perfect stranger to me until yesterday. She saw an article about Josette Nordman and wanted to help. Her name is Caryn Monis. I am so touched by her and her kindness I don't even know what to say. Here is more about her: I graduated from HF back in 1988. I live in Huntley, IL with my husband and 3 amazing kids. I started my Tastefully Simple business 5 years ago and absolutely love it! It allows me to help others by providing solutions for busy lives. Whether it's earning free groceries by hosting a party, getting a much-needed night out, raising funds for charity or starting a fun & flexible career with unlimited earning potential, I love being able to enhance people's lives. A high school friend posted a story about Josie on Facebook and I was immediately touched. Here is this amazing young woman who is so bright and talented and not only pushing forward -- but succeeding -- in the face of adversity. I didn't even get to the end of the story before I knew I wanted to help. So we're setting up this fundraiser and I will be donating 100% of my profits to help the Nordman family with their medical bills.