Porter County (IN) Dispatcher's Medical Emergency

I am writing about a co-worker, Stacey Ellerman, from the Porter County Indiana Comm Center in Valparaiso, IN. Stacey is a 33 year old Dispatcher who was diagnosed with Postpartum Cadiomyopathy shortly after the birth of her son in 2005. Over the years, she has experienced congestive heart failure, suffered heart attacks, and has been reliant on a pacemaker and defibrilator since November of 2009. Stacey was managing her condition, yet struggling to regain the strength and vigor she once had. During the past year, and mainly last four months, Stacey has been suffering from increased shortness of breath and worsening heart function. Her heart now works at about ten percent of what it should, and daily tasks are becoming more difficult. After 2 hospitalizations in March of this year, Stacey has become a candidate for heart transplant and is currently on the UNOS Transplant waiting list. She is also receiving treatments at the Heart Failure Clinic in Oak Lawn, IL on a weekly basis (80 miles round trip).

Stacey has not worked since January of 2011.

As an update...Stacey received a new heart on Monday 5/16. She is awake, breathing on her own and the heart is pumping on it's own. As an aside, Portage Indiana PD lost a Dispatcher on 5/16/2003 due to a traffic crash. There was an activation following Tracey Hall's death. May 16th is a special date for those of us who have worked with Tracey, and even more so now that it is Stacey's "new" birthday.

I am involved in helping to put together a benefit for Stacey. If anyone is going to be in the Portage, IN area on July 16th the benefit will be at Clancy's. You can preorder your tickets now by sending 10.00 per person to 302 Pepper Creek Drive. Valparaiso, IN 46385. Make checks payable to Stacey Ellerman Heart Transplant Benefit. Please include your name, phone number, and e-mail address for confirmation. Ticket price includes admission to the benefit, food, and pop. Live bands will be there to entertain, and Chad Burton (of the Carlos Ramos Band) is scheduled to perform!!!! There will also be a poker run.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 219-617-6381
Shirley Fisher Seebeck