Walker woman awaits lungs transplant

WALKER, Mich. (WOOD) - After battling brain tumors as a child, Anya Maciulewski developed scarring on her lungs from the chemotherapy. Now, at 28, the Walker woman is in Pittsburgh awaiting a double-lung transplant.

While she and her mother temporarily relocated to Pittsburgh for the operation, her father, Tom, stayed behind in West Michigan to keep working.

"She was looking at her lungs eventually shutting down completely," her father, Tom, told 24 Hour News 8. "We're really not sure (how long that might be) and we're not asking that question. We're just hoping that she can continue as long as possible."

It's been nearly two years since Anya was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis , a direct result -- her father says -- of chemotherapy and radiation treatments for recurring brain tumors she received when she was 2, 11 and 13.

"She's basically running out of air and her lungs are so small that she doesn't have a whole lot of capacity," he said. "Her lungs are now to the point where she can't function without oxygen support and it's progressively getting worse."

She's on the waiting list and has been in Pittsburgh for the past year waiting for the call.

"The reality is lung transplants don't happen right away," he said.

The Maciulewskis wish they could have gone to Spectrum Health for the transplant, saving them both time and the cost of living in two separate places.

The cost of an average double-lung transplant is $800,000. Though insurance will cover the bulk of that, the post-op treatment -- that will last a lifetime -- is daunting.

To help with the financial aspect, the family turned to the National Foundation for Transplants , a non-profit group that helps patients raise money for medical expenses.

On Friday, March 8, volunteers are holding a spaghetti dinner and auction at the Grand Rapids Elks Lodge, 2715 Leonard St. NW to help defray some of the costs of her care.

"We're actually just maintaining right now because the bigger expenses will start happening once she has the transplant," Mr. Maciulewski said.

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Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and the live auction will begin at 7:15 p.m. Dinner, which includes beverage and dessert, is $8 for ages 12 and older, $5 for children under 12; there is no admission charge for the auction. Auction items include balloon rides, hotels stays, furniture, golf passes, hockey tickets, coffee and handcrafted goods.

An anonymous donor has agreed to match their donations, up to $5,000, with a gift to NFT in Maciulewski's honor.

More information:

Anya Maciulewski's transplant page

lungsforanya@gmail.com