Many friends, family and supporters respectfully request YOUR help in raising funds for Barbara Mayhew. These additional funds are needed for uncovered insurance costs for the upcoming bilateral lung transplant. In June of 2001, she was diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (a1ad).

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency is an inherited, genetic disorder, which results in very low levels of a protein enzyme in the blood called alpha-Antitrypsin (AAT). With Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency you may develop serious lung and/or liver disease or pass the defective AAT gene on to your children.

Barb Mayhew is a lung affected Alpha-1, which means abnormal "a1ad" gene is present, causing major damage to the lung tissue. She was listed for a double lung transplant at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO, Jan. 23, 2002. Barb currently has only 15 percent of her lung function left, due to this devastating disease and uses oxygen 24/7.

Mercer County Crime Stoppers (Illinois) set up a non-profit account for Barb Mayhew at the Farmers State Bank of Western Illinois in Aledo, IL. Ms. Mayhew was a member for several years of the Mercer County Crime Stoppers Board. Friends on the Mercer County Crime Stoppers Board were delighted to help Barb Mayhew in this way. Gifts and donations are always being accepted in this account.