South Hempstead family in plea for help

South Hempstead resident Kathy Burns is facing what is called a Multi-Visceral Transplant. This means that she will receive a new stomach, pancreas, small intestine, duodnum and perhaps a new liver and a new large intestine. She has had 23 surgeries in the past four years. She has been operated on at local hospitals in Long Island, New York City, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. and the University of Minnesota Hospital in downtown Minneapolis.

Kathy had what is called pancreatic divism, which means her pancreas didn’t have the ducts to work properly. Kathy and her husband, Brian, will need to relocate to Pittsburgh for up to five months for Kathy to have the transplant. She will need to be hospitalized for one-month following her surgery and remain in the local area for up to four months.

Kathy is a beloved member of our community and has been an art teacher to many children from Rockville Centre. She and Brian have five children ranging from 22 to 13. The transplant will cost the family up to $120,000 the first year alone due to medical insurance premiums, medical co-payments, relocation expenses and the cost of their home here. Brian has been unemployed since early 2007 as well.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can make if to the National Transplant Assistance Fund (ntaf.org) or directly to the family: Brian and Kathy Burns, 329 Cedar Street, South Hempstead, NY 11550. Any donations to NTAF must be made in honor of Kathy Burns so it will be credited to her account.

Kathy has been suffering for over four years with her illness and the family would greatly appreciate all financial assistance from friends and community neighbors.