Help Ann Marie raise money

I have the privilege and honor of working as a Nurse Practitioner for the Lung Transplant program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The inspiration to my career choice came after my mother received a lifesaving kidney transplant.

My mother Amy was diagnosed with Diabetes (Type I) as a child and battled this chronic illness for more than 50 years before succumbing to kidney failure and requiring dialysis.  It was difficult to watch my mom a woman who was once full of life and travel, to become debilitated by dialysis. For years she underwent grueling treatments and testing.  Eventually, she was fortunate to be placed on the waitlist for a kidney transplant.  Finally, after years of waiting by the phone and a few dry runs we got the call for a possible match. We can never repay my mom’s donor or their family for the gift they gave her….TIME. Since her transplant my mom has traveled to two countries overseas, attended three weddings, been blessed with three grandchildren and attended countless family moments that we owe all to her donor and their family. 

My mom received the call for her transplant the same day I started as a brand-new nurse practitioner. After witnessing the dedication from my mother’s care team, the will and strength my mom had to fight for her life and the beautiful gift from a complete stranger, I was inspired to make a career change.   Now, as part of the Lung Transplant team at Massachusetts General Hospital, I am moved daily by strength of our patients battling end stage lung disease and their courage to undergo major cardiothoracic surgery.  I am honored to now be part of the team making the life changing call to a patient and their family and humbled by the donor stories.

As part of the Lung Transplant team I work directly with the New England Donor Service (NEDS). This is a non-profit organization whose mission is: "To save and heal lives through organ and tissue donation."

 I have joined my colleagues at NEDS to run in honor of my mom, the transplant patients at MGH and their donors. 

The gift of life is the most selfless act one human can give to another. Did you know that ONE donor could potentially save EIGHT lives?! 

Please support this life saving cause.