Sun Devil Family Charities

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The Story of Ebony Kelly

Ebony Kelly graduated from Arizona State University in 1995 with a B.S. in Recreation Management/Travel and Tourism.

In 2003 Ebony was diagnosed with Polymyositis with Interstitial Lung Disease. Ebony requires a double lung transplant to survive this condition.

Ebony was employed as a Corporate Travel Agent for American Express and has not worked since January 2008 due to her condition; American Express let her go in January of 2009. With growing medical expenses and no income it will be increasingly difficult for Ebony to afford the respiratory treatment and care she will require to survive until a lifesaving lung transplant can be completed.

In 2008, Sun Devil Family Charities held a billiards tournament at Kitty’s Bar in Phoenix where the total donations, including corporate matching, equaled $9000.00. The funds raised were deposited directly into the National Lung Transplant Registry in an account for Ebony’s medical costs. Ebony’s medical expenses will far surpass her means to pay them. SDFC will be holding future events in an effort to help subsidize these expenses.

Ebony loves to play pool, she also loves studying the Solar System and the Universe. Ebony hopes to one day travel the world.

Ebony Updates
06/22/10	We are happy to report that almost 1 year after her surgery, Ebony is doing well.

08/16/09 9:00 PM	After visiting with Ebony this weekend, she is doing better every day. She is breathing better each day, she has been up and walking around a couple of times each day, and she is eating regular food. She is in very good spirits! Ebony is progressing very well according to her doctor. She hopes to be out of the ICU in a few days and out of the hospital in a week or so. Her birthday is coming up on August 22nd so be sure to drop her a line when you get a chance. Click here to send an email to her personal address. Please keep the prayers coming.

08/13/09 7:30 PM	A small setback today…Ebony started having some low oxygen absorption numbers related to coagulation around the lungs so they took her into surgery to correct the problem. Her oxygen absorption is much better now after the surgery and, though out of it due to the anesthesia, she is responsive. The big thing is that the surgery fixed the issue and she can now start moving forward again.

08/12/09 2:15 PM	GREAT NEWS!...Ebony’s breathing tube was removed this morning and she is breathing on her own. She is still very congested as she does not have the lung capacity to be able to cough and remove the congestion. They are going to be manually removing the congestion shortly which will open up much more capacity allowing her to breathe more freely. They are also planning on getting her on her feet this afternoon and having her walk around a bit. Truly amazing! It sounds like she’s doing her part and healing up; please continue doing your part! Some of the guys will be going down again sometime over the next few days. If you have a message for Eb, send it to us and we’ll be sure to get it to her.

08/12/09 8:00 AM	This past Monday evening, Ebony got a call from the University of Arizona Medical Center with news that they had found a pair of lungs that matched Ebony's transplant needs. With that news, Ebony rushed to Tucson and was in surgery around 11:30 PM that evening to receive her new lungs. The surgery lasted close to 7 hours and went very well. Ebony is now resting in the intensive care unit. Joe, JP, and Todd have all been down to see Ebony and have reported that as of Tuesday night, Ebony was incredibly aware and responsive and she seemed to be in good spirits. She has had a few challenges post-surgery but the medical staff has been able to react and handle each situation as it arose. It is obvious, though, that Ebony is still in a tremendous amount of pain although she is recovering quickly. She is expected to be taken off the ventilator today (Wednesday) and will be out of the ICU soon. The guys shared the notes and cards that many of you have sent and hung them up in her room. Ebony was visibly touched by all of your well wishes. We ask that you please continue to keep Ebony in your prayers, spread the word, and ask others to do the same. She has a long way to go and although she has come out incredibly strong, she needs everyone's support to see her through this. The guys will be going down to see Ebony as often as they can. She would love to have visitors if you can make it. If not, send us a note for Ebony and we will print it off and take it to her. Hopefully it won't be long before she's on her feet answering your phone calls and emails herself.