Fundraisers planned for teen in need of double-lung transplant

    Two special fundraisers are planned in the coming weeks to assist the family of an 18-year-old Glenwood Community High School student on the waiting list for a double-lung transplant.
    Hannah DeLashmutt, the daughter of Kenneth and Destiny DeLashmutt, has lived her entire life with Cystic Fibrosis and is now in need of the life-saving transplant.
    A “Hope For Hannah Brunch” will take place Sunday, March 26, from 9 a.m. – noon, at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church’s Kaufman Hall. The brunch is being organized by some of Hannah’s GCHS classmates. A donation of $7 for adults and $5 for children will be accepted.
    On Saturday, April 8, a spaghetti dinner, silent auction, bake sale and raffle in Hannah’s honor are planned from 5-9 p.m. at the Glenwood American Legion Hall. Proceeds will benefit the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA), a national charity assisting Hannah and her family with transplant-related expenses, which are projected to exceed $500,000. Cash, checks and credit card donations will be accepted. Additional information about the fundraiser and COTA are available online at cotaforhannahd.com.  Admission is $12 for adults and children ages 6 and older; and $5 for children ages 5 and under. Presale tickets are being sold at a reduced rate online at Bit.ly/HannahDEvent. Donations can be made on the same site.
    Hannah is currently living at home and receiving intravenous (IV) medications. She goes to pulmonary rehab twice a week and also has weekly visits to her doctors. Her Cystic Fibrosis treatments include vest treatment, nebulizers, oral medications and IV medications.(routine CF regimens).
    “She lived a fairly normal childhood except for vest treatments, medications, and nebulizers,” Destiny DeLashmutt said. “It wasn’t until her teens that her health started deteriorating. Eighth grade things got even worse - that’s when she was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis (symptom of CF). That year, she spent more time in the hospital then out of it.  That is also the year that her lung function started on a downward spiral.”
    Destiny DeLashmutt said her daughter is a typical teenager.
    “Hannah loves hanging out with her friends, listening to music and family time,” she said. “After the transplant, once Hannah is feeling well again, she wants to go the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to study interior design.”
    Hannah has been on the transplant waiting list since Dec. 13. Her transplant will take place at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
    “We could literally get the call for lungs at any moment,” Destiny DeLashmutt said. “Hannah will have to live in the hospital for at least three weeks after the transplant. She will have to then live in Omaha for at least three months once she is discharged. She will have to have someone living with her during that time.  She will have to attend pulmonary rehab every day for the first few months. She will also be on anti-rejection medications for the rest of her life.”