Campaign Story

My name is Emily Volz and this fundraiser is for my little sister. Auburn is 3 years younger than me, and I begged for a little sister until my wish finally came true. When I was 5, she was 2, she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. The doctors told our parents she would be lucky to make it to high school. Every single birthday candle, eyelash, and penny tossed in a fountain I wished that she would no longer have CF, and she could be normal.

Well, she’s 32 years old and thriving; albeit a lot of uphill battles along the way.

In 2016, she was 26 and was dying. Her lung function was at 17% and she desperately needed a miracle. She was lucky enough to get that miracle in a double lung transplant October 24, 2016.

She has always loved kids and knew she wanted to be a mother at a young age, however at 22 when her lungs were failing, her doctor told her if she were to get pregnant she would die. At that time, she made the difficult decision to get her tubes tied so she would never have to make a decision between her life and her child’s.

Now, at 32, she is healthy and full of energy. I know she would be an amazing mother, I see her with my two kids, however, carrying her own child has its risks. She would have to go off numerous medications in order to sustain pregnancy. These drugs include some of her immunosuppressants to protect her lungs. Again, making that choice between her life and her child’s.

I want to her to be the best, most healthy version of herself for my future niece or nephew. I always told her I’d give her my lungs, or my kidneys, or whatever she needed… so, I’m giving her my body for 9 months.

Science isn’t cheap. The plan is to take her eggs, fertilize them, and freeze them. They will then have to do genetic testing to make sure they don’t have cystic fibrosis or any other defect. Once everything is ready and the timing is right, the embryo will be implanted and I will take fertility drugs to help the little embryo along. My insurance will cover my parts, but unfortunately Auburn’s insurance covers nothing.

The whole process will be about $25,000. She has been saving money for years and has  a little nest egg, but not enough to pay everything up front like they require.

I don’t want Auburn’s dream to not be fulfilled just because of money.

If you feel moved to donate, I am so thankful, if you don’t have the funds to do so, it would be amazing if you would just share our story and help me fulfill her dream of becoming a mom.