Raven Givens-Ransburg Lung Transplant Fund

Help Raven Breathe!

As many of you may know, 18-year-old Raven's health has taken a turn for the worse as a result of her diagnosis of Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF). PF is a life-threatening disease which causes the lungs to deteriorate; there is NO CURE for PF and a lung transplant is Raven’s only option for a healthy life.  She is now listed on the active transplant waiting list at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

Raven graduated from the Hogan Preparatory Academy and even though her breathing is compromised, she is furthering her education online at Longview Community College and majoring in forensic chemistry. She hopes to one day work as a forensic pathologist for the Jackson County Police Department.

Having a great support system with family, friends and teachers, Raven doesn't let anything stop her. Most people know her as a smart, respectful and courageous young lady. Her uplifting spirit brings happiness to many people. "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27) is Raven's motto; she has been a very strong girl throughout her health crisis and has not let it bring her down. Hopefully one day she will look back on this period in her life and say "I'm a survivor and I made it."

Even with insurance Raven will have many uninsured transplant-related expenses such as: co-pays and deductibles, doctor visits, travel and temporary relocation to the St. Louis area pre and post- transplant and the costly immunosuppressant medications that she will need to take for the rest of her life.