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In 1991 she was born with a disease called Cystic Fibrosis. Of no fault of her own, her life would never be like mine, or most Americans. This disease has no cure and will eventually take the life of everyone who has it – way before their life would naturally come to close. In ages past, and as recently as the 1980’s people afflicted with Cystic Fibrosis (CF henceforth) would lose their battle with the disease usually before they became an adult. With the advent of recent treatments and developments, CF patients have begun to live longer lives, but are still haunted with the specter that CF casts over them.
Among the numerous issues that CF causes, none of which allow for a normal development, the most devastating and deadly effect CF has on the body is the slow, ultimately fatal, destruction of the lungs. CF patients can begin experiencing lung function loss at any age. This is the grim reality that all CF patients face in their fight to stay alive. Samantha spent most of her life in and out of hospitals for medical treatments ranging from two-week to month-long rehabilitations to restore her vitals and keep her lungs functioning as best as they could. Each time these infections chipped away at her lungs over and over until eventually, CF did what is does best and forced Samantha to make a tough decision. Samantha was fortunate enough to hold off for 27 years before CF required her to undergo a bi-lateral lung transplant in March of 2019. Through the amazing support of friends and family Samantha’s procedure went wonderfully. The invasive procedure ultimately saved her life, although only provided a short-lived relief. Samantha was able to work a full-time job for the first time in her life. She never gave up and knew there was no other choice but to fight and keep living with the second chance at life that she was given.
The year is now 2021 and Sam’s body has begun to form Donor-Specific Antibodies (DSA). This has caused her body to begin attacking the new lungs in an attempt to “remove the foreign invader”. In order to stop this deadly process from continuing, Sam has been undergoing a series of treatments to hopefully stop and reduce the DSA from increasing, but it has been unsuccessful so far and now a more drastic approach is needed. Sam and her doctors have discussed what her options are and have come to the decision to administer a very strong medication intended to wipe out her immune system to kill the DSA and give her lungs a fighting chance. Because of this necessary medication, Sam will need to be quarantined for several months to help keep her safe as she will have no immune system and ANY illness, even something as simple as the sniffles, can claim her life.
Sam has always known that the extra years the transplant gave her were a precious gift that sadly, wouldn’t last forever as the statistics are 50-50 within the first 5 years. And just two years later, Sam is back to fighting for her life. With all due grace, the medication will be successful and Sam will continue living and working with whatever time she has. Our family doesn’t like to consider the alternative of any other outcome, but the reality is that if the procedure is not successful, she will need to go back, and God willing, she will receive a life-saving gift once again.
We are asking for help and donations so that Sam can focus on the treatments and somehow hold herself together in the face of this on-going battle without having to worry about how bills will be met. After fighting back and forth with her employer who refused to approve Short-Term Disability, even though month after month her doctors requested it and sent copious amounts of documentation showing just how serious the situation was, it caused a financial strain. With Sam being out of work since the beginning of April and expected to be out through the end of the year, all of her savings have been drained. She was fortunate for her employer to finally approve her Short-Term within the last couple of weeks which secured her job causing a much needed relief, but in October, the fight will begin again as she must submit for Long-Term Disability. She tried her absolute best to keep herself afloat – going as far as to obtain additional sources of income such as pet sitting and selling off some of her possessions to generate some money; however, with quarantine now ahead, Sam finds herself out of options. She was determined to do this on her own, but unfortunately, CF has made the choice for her. Please know, updating and re-sending this fundraiser out was something she refused to let us do for quite some time as she fiercely believed in being independent despite her condition. 4000 dollars is what all of Sam’s bills will be for the next few months. 4000 dollars was the limit Sam let us request for her. If we can raise the amount, Sam will have enough money to not have to worry about any of her bills and focus on fighting and recovering to the fullest. I know these last two years have ravaged every family in some way – loss and death, grief and coping, as well as financial strife, but I am asking you to please come and donate whatever you can to give Sam a chance at life and at least help her get a shot at living long enough to see many more years.
Our family will be grateful for whatever you can donate, and we will do our best to send a handwritten note to anyone who gives so they may know our appreciation for helping Sam in this dire time in her life. Cystic Fibrosis was never meant to be an adult disease because children never made it to adulthood, but we are changing that one person at time. Help Samantha keep this second chance at life.
Samantha has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support!
Hello all, I just wanted to come on here and comment that I am beyond appreciative of all the love and support you all have shown me! I am truly touched. As of November 5th, 2021, I no longer have a job as my employer let me go due to me transitioning to Long Term Disability. It's very unfortunate and sadly, being on Long Term Disability does not guarantee my job, nor does it legally require my employer to hold my position. They are a business after all and tried to work with me as best as they could, but unfortunately, due to the needs of the business, my role could no longer be vacant and they needed a replacement as we just don't know how long I am expected to be out of work. It was a blessing and I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work there as long as I did. I'm not sure where my journey is headed, but I know that I will continue to undergo treatments until I can be finally cleared to return to work. I am trusting in the Lord that this is all a part of the plan for me and He has something better lined up. I will see this through to the end, and trust in Him. Thank you for all of your love and understanding as I continue to navigate through this.
-Sam
Hello everyone! It's me, Sam. This has been a hard journey and I often forget just how complicated things are until I see it from someone else's eyes. My brother, Carlos, updated my bio and honestly, it brought me to tears. I'm always so hard on myself and force myself to push through no matter what. It's just who I am. I was raised to never accept any excuses and to keep looking ahead. It is that mindset that has given me a blind strength I often forget I possess. I find it so hard to trust anyone and I despise the thought that I need help and can't do it on my own. It's such a humiliation and failure - I know I shouldn't be hard on myself, but I can't escape it. It's like the movie about Cystic Fibrosis, Five Feet Apart. One of the main character's name is Will. He is rebellious and often morbid about this disease, but he speaks what we all feel at times, but as the movie progresses, we see that Will is just scared and sorry that his body betrayed him. At one point, after receiving a new therapy drug meant to help save him, he and the medical staff discover it is not working for him and he is going to die since they have exhausted all other options. All he can muster up is, "I'm sorry." - as if somehow this disease is our fault. It truly broke my heart to the core because that is how I feel all the time - I'm sorry. I'm sorry my body continues to fight me and try and take me. By the grace of God, I haven't given up or lost hope. Often times, I pray for myself to let go and just trust His process, and then I bury it again. Because the reality is, if I let if come to the surface everyday, it would swallow me whole. I don't mean to worry anyone or try and gain "sympathy" and make you feel sorry for me. That isn't and never will be what I want. I just want people to understand that I really do try and make the most of my life and be independent and productive, but sometimes, life has other plans and I hit setbacks. I'm putting it all out there to truly show people what it's like for me. All I can hope is that you can understand and get a glimpse into my life. If you want to share my story, I am all right with that. And if you find it in your heart to donate, no amount of appreciation or thanks can ever be enough, but I will cherish it all for as long as I am here. Thank you.
We just had our second fundraiser this weekend and it was a great turn out!! I am completely blown away by everyone’s love and generosity! Thank you all so much!!
And for all those who have donated and continue to donate please know that I see you and I am beyond thankful for your support!! Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes too! I am truly touched ❤️
Hello, everyone! I appreciate all of your heartfelt messages! Thank you so much for the donations and spreading the word!! It means so much to me!
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Glad we met! Hope to hear from you/see you again soon.
Bryan Preston
We love you Sam Sam ❤️❤️
Evelyn Maldonado
May God Bless and heal you in Jesus name. Amen
Debra A. Rodelo
Love you SaaaaamSam <3 to the moon and back.
David Wiltse
Sending all my love
Mariah Herrera
Sending lpve and prayers your way
Melissa & Ray Nieto
I know all too well the fear and worry about financials while having a loved one fighting for their life, and I will always do what I can to try to help alleviate some of that. Love and light to you and yours.
Felicia Winnett
God bless you.
Griselda Sanchez
Love from the Montano Daley Family
Xylina Lopez
Samantha, as you may know, I have been through two transplants myself. James and I are well aware of all the emotions that go along with a transplant and any bumps in the road. Worrying about finances is not something you should have to do. Your focus needs to be on your recovery. We were fortunate to have special helpers for us during our time, so we are using this opportunity to pay it forward! It is our prayer that this will help and you can get about the main business at hand, that is you taking care of you and allowing God to work through the doctors and nurses to bring you back to that wonderful place of breathing deep!! All our love and prayers!!
James and Allison Stokes
James & Allison Stokes
My beautiful daughter
Sandra Montano
I wish i could do more. Blessings on all of you.
Joseph Elam
You are such a strong women and I know you will keep staying strong to over come this. I wish you a speedy recovery.
Dawn Miller
Your friends at Feldman Orthodontics are all thinking about you and wish you the very best. We are cheering for you, Sam!
Feldman Orthodontics
Keep Fighting Sam!!
Jill Schroeder
You are Superwoman!! We love you!!
Sarah Walters
God bless you
Herbert Soto
Best of luck on your journey!
Stonehenge Designs and the Fisher / DeLano families.
Jim Fisher
Hello Samantha, My name is Mary Jo. I received my first lung transplant 7/1/2007 and my second lung transplant 6/4/2015. I am also a donor family. After seeing so many people struggling with medical costs, my family and decided to start a foundation to help people like you. We are granting you our first donation with more to come. I wish you luck with your transplant journey. I would be happy to speak with you and fill you in on some of the things you don't know about yet. The pills, the surgery, the recovery. There are parts of the journey that will be rough but so worth it. I am alive and happy all because people said yes to organ donation. Mary Jo Lovely, Transplant Alliance Foundation.
Ken Lovely
Sending prayers your way. Keep fighting, stay strong, and keep the positive vibes rolling. You are an inspiration ❤️.
Victoria Ramirez
You are in my prayers Sam! Love you friend!! You are such a strong person and will over come this very soon!!
Angela Cota
You got this Sam! and We got your back!! We love you and will be there for you always and forever. xoxoxo your Tia Lorie, Tio Frank and Family.
Lorie Montano
I'm so excited for you to be able to breath! Kick CFs butt.
Weatherly Baum
Hope you are feeling better soon.
Jennifer Oxley
Love and Prayers to you and your Family, Samantha Delano--Our God is a Mighty God!
Marcella Ann White
We’re all praying for you Samantha! God bless you and your family
Mary Perez
Keep fighting the good fight kiddo & I’ll see you on the other side of the finish line.
F Anderson
I don’t know you, but I have friends that do. Fight the good fight and never give up, you’re surrounded by loved ones who haven’t given up on you
Brandon Johnson
Samantha, you were created by God to live. My prayer for you is for new lungs and a new life, in the awesome name of Jesus. I will also share this post. If many do a little we can make a huge difference together. If i were in your position, I would hope others would step up. God bless you.
Tammy Byler
Love you Sam! Sending prayers your way.
Melissa Montani
Good luck, praying your goal is reached.
Tio Ruben and Tia Max
Ruben Gomez
Prayers
Johnny Frias
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Samantha DeLano
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
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