Our Story
This is Erika Pepper. Erika is 24 years old and was born with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). CF is a genetic respiratory illness that progresses over time. Despite her lifelong trials with CF Erika was able to graduate as a valedictorian in high school and went on to pursue her degree in Elementary Education at LCSC. As Erika entered into adulthood, the damage and scarring to her lungs became more and more severe and she began requiring more frequent hospitalizations and a time consuming treatment regimen.
Erika moved to Western Washington in 2017 after landing her dream job as a first grade teacher. During her first year of teaching Erika became very sick, developing a persistent infection that caused a massive decline in her lung function, which she has been unable to recover from. Erika returned to Maple Valley to finish out her school year, but has since relocated back to Lewiston. She has been on 24/7 oxygen for about a year now and began having conversations with her doctors in Spokane about transplant earlier this year.
In April, Erika and her family traveled to Seattle to meet with the transplant team and evaluate her case. After undergoing a week of extensive testing it was determined that she was a great candidate for transplant, meaning her current lungs can no longer keep up and a double lung transplant is the best option for her. Erika was listed for transplant on Wednesday, May 22nd around 5:00 pm. Erika and her family had only just started making arrangements for transplant, when they received the call just 18 hours after she was listed. A potential donor for Erika has been found!
On May 25, 2019, Erika’s transplant journey began.
Erika Pepper
Lewiston, ID
Transplant Type: Lung
Transplant Status: Transplanted
Goal: $65,000.00
Raised: $21,052 of $65,000 goal
Raised by 72 contributors
Updates
Fundraising Update
Posted
I feel like things have been so busy lately, but the page is in desperate need of a fundraising update! I first want to thank everyone that came... Continue Reading »
Bridges to Brews COTA fundraiser
Posted
https://www.raceentry.com/bridges-to-brews/race-information We have a huge fundraising opportunity on Saturday, October 12th! Mark your calendar and follow the link to register! Bridges to Brews will be a run/walk in... Continue Reading »
Lewiston Tribune Feature Story about Erika’s Journey
Posted
Check out this article in the tribune! We are a thankful that our community can be made aware of Erika’s journey and help us to spread the word... Continue Reading »
HOME and first infection
Posted
http://www.COTAforErika.com https://bonfire.com/erikas-new-lungs/ We have good news and bad news.. the good news is that Erika is HOME! After a little more than 3 months of recovering in Seattle,... Continue Reading »
Our shirt campaign is officially ready!
Posted
https://bonfire.com/erikas-new-lungs/ Many of you have been asking when the shirts will be ready, and the answer is NOW! All you have to do is click on the link and... Continue Reading »
T-SHIRTS
Posted
I have something I am super excited to share. We have been working on making T-shirts to raise money for COTA in honor of Erika to assist with transplant related expenses! Erika... Continue Reading »
THEY GOT MARRIED!
Posted
You may have noticed that the page has been a little quieter lately. We apologize for this, and appreciate everyone patiently waiting for updates. One update that we... Continue Reading »
8 Week Update
Posted
Today was a very early appointment day! As always, Erika started the morning with a blood draw to check the levels of the anti rejection medications in her... Continue Reading »
Breaking Records
Posted
Yesterday was a great day for Erika! The day started off with a quick appointment at the hospital for a port flush and ended with a long walk... Continue Reading »
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Our Story
This is Erika Pepper. Erika is 24 years old and was born with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). CF is a genetic respiratory illness that progresses over time. Despite her lifelong trials with CF Erika was able to graduate as a valedictorian in high school and went on to pursue her degree in Elementary Education at LCSC. As Erika entered into adulthood, the damage and scarring to her lungs became more and...
Continue Reading »Erika Pepper
Lewiston, ID
Transplant Type: Lung
Transplant Status: Transplanted
Goal: $65,000.00
Raised: $21,052 of $65,000 goal
Raised by 72 contributors
Updates
Fundraising Update
Posted
I feel like things have been so busy lately, but the page is in desperate need of a fundraising update! I first want to thank everyone that came... Continue Reading »
Bridges to Brews COTA fundraiser
Posted
https://www.raceentry.com/bridges-to-brews/race-information We have a huge fundraising opportunity on Saturday, October 12th! Mark your calendar and follow the link to register! Bridges to Brews will be a run/walk in... Continue Reading »
Lewiston Tribune Feature Story about Erika’s Journey
Posted
Check out this article in the tribune! We are a thankful that our community can be made aware of Erika’s journey and help us to spread the word... Continue Reading »
HOME and first infection
Posted
http://www.COTAforErika.com https://bonfire.com/erikas-new-lungs/ We have good news and bad news.. the good news is that Erika is HOME! After a little more than 3 months of recovering in Seattle,... Continue Reading »
Our shirt campaign is officially ready!
Posted
https://bonfire.com/erikas-new-lungs/ Many of you have been asking when the shirts will be ready, and the answer is NOW! All you have to do is click on the link and... Continue Reading »
T-SHIRTS
Posted
I have something I am super excited to share. We have been working on making T-shirts to raise money for COTA in honor of Erika to assist with transplant related expenses! Erika... Continue Reading »
THEY GOT MARRIED!
Posted
You may have noticed that the page has been a little quieter lately. We apologize for this, and appreciate everyone patiently waiting for updates. One update that we... Continue Reading »
8 Week Update
Posted
Today was a very early appointment day! As always, Erika started the morning with a blood draw to check the levels of the anti rejection medications in her... Continue Reading »
Breaking Records
Posted
Yesterday was a great day for Erika! The day started off with a quick appointment at the hospital for a port flush and ended with a long walk... Continue Reading »