Lorry Adkins

Lorry Adkins

Transplant Type: Pancreas

Dear Friend,

What if an organ in your body wore out long before its time? Would you give up, or would you fight for life?    

 Lorry Adkins is a fighter, with a lot of life to live. She was just 9 years old when diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. While managing the disease over a lifetime, she has built a career as a nurse and provided health care to innumerable patients, family members, friends and strangers.     

Now it’s the nurse who needs help. Time has ravaged the organ that produces insulin for Lorry, and doctors now say a pancreas transplant is critical. A new pancreas will essentially cure her of diabetes and eliminate the risk of death from now-unpredictable diabetic reactions.

What if your only hope was in the help of strangers?    

 On a recent cold autumn day, Lorry was doing yard work while her husband was out of town. Her blood sugar plummeted unexpectedly, and she fell unconscious for nearly two hours before her husband asked a neighbor to check on her. Emergency crews arrived to find Lorry’s body temperature had dropped to a dangerous 83 degrees. A close call that she hopes never to repeat.

What if your life depended on the compassion and generosity of others?     

For Lorry, a pancreas transplant is the answer, but it is much more expensive than her insurance will cover. The average pancreas transplant costs over $300,000, plus additional expenses related to the surgery. She will need a lifetime of follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. These medications are very costly, and they’re as important to her survival as the transplant itself.    

When Lorry receives her transplant, she will need to stay near the transplant center as she recovers, incurring significant expenses for travel, food and lodging.

Many Thanks!

P.S. What if Lorry were your wife? Your mother? Your best friend? Or even you?

Patient Health Institute: University of Wisconsin Hospital