Sara shares her beautiful smile.
By Liz Hickok
Guest Writer
Hayesville resident, Sara McCaslin, 16, received a double lung transplant at The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children’s Hospital on Aug. 22. Sara is the twin sister of Seth and the daughter of Erik and Laura McCaslin. She is recovering well with the support of her extensive medical team, family and friends. McCaslin was recently transferred from the Critical Intensive Care Unit to the Intensive Care Unit, which is a significant step.
McCaslin and her family are very thankful to the donor and donor’s family for their precious gift of lungs, which replaced her previously 15 percent functioning lungs after her 2018 diagnosis of Restrictive Pulmonary Disease, possibly a result of an eight-year regimen of extremely strong chemo after removal of a brain tumor at nine months old. In addition to a GoFundMe campaign: www.gf.me/u/ ykcyhy to assist with many additional costs not covered by insurance, McCaslin’s friends from Mountain Harbour Golf Club ask for your prayers and have organized a “card shower” with a goal of 100 cards.
They are requesting positive encouragement, get well cards or notes, with or without a financial contribution, be sent to: Sara McCaslin, ICU, UPMC Children’s Hospital, One Children’s Hospital Way, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224. McCaslin’s hospital stay is dependent upon her continued improvement but it could be up to three months. Hopefully the cards she receives will help her know that Hayesville and any other area residents truly care and want to encourage her during her long recovery journey. Despite her health challenges, petite Sara has a huge heart, sweet personality, is kind and loving and does not complain about her situation. If you wish to learn more about Sara’s past and present life story, it is on CaringBridge.
Her Mom updates Sara’s progress regularly at: www.caringbridge.org/visit/ saramccaslin where one may need to register if not previously registered. Thank you from her Mountain Harbour friends for your cards and prayers for Sarah Strong.