amberlyn

Hill Country SUN

Help give breath of life to courageous young woman

Amberlyn Fett of Dripping Springs was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of six weeks. The doctors told Debbie Fett, Amberlyn’s mother, she might not live past the age of two.
Now 19, Amber has so far defied those odds, spending much of her life in and out of the hospital for treatments and tests. And despite her own illness, she has remained focused on others.
Now, it is this courageous young woman who needs help. Amber faces a double lung transplant, and is nearing the top of the donor list. While insurance will cover much of the cost, remaining expenses are overwhelming.
“The doctor told me that without the lung transplant, I had maybe five years to live. I was 18,” Amberlyn says. “Basically, he broke it down and told me what I didn’t want to accept. My CF was killing me, and it was winning. It was after that doctor’s appointment that I decided to go ahead with the transplant, get on the list, and just live every day to the fullest.”
After receiving news that she was near the top of the donor list, Amberlyn withdrew from school and is focusing on pulmonary rehabilitation, working hard to prepare for the operation.
Following her transplant operation, she has big plans. Amberlyn wants to run a marathon, travel, and go back to school. She also plans to continue her work with Amber’s Angels, an organization she started while in high school that makes Christmas gift bags for every single child at Dell Childrens’ Hospital.
“There’s so much I want to do, I’ve just got to get there,” she says. “God gave me this disease so I could learn from it, and in turn, turn around and help others through it.”
And you can help Amberlyn and her family. Come out for A Breath of Life Benefit Auction for Amberlyn May 5 from 6 pm to 10 pm at Hills Cafe in Austin. The event features a silent auction, and musical performances by the one and only Gary P. Nunn, plus Brian Milson and the Short Road Band, Austin Collins, Bill Rice, and a cameo appearance by Ray Benson.
And if you can’t make the May 5 fundraiser in Austin, no worries. You can still make a real difference for Amberlyn. With just a click of the mouse, a convenient link on the web site (www.mybreathoflife.org) makes it easy to donate.
FYI • You can hear Amberlyn’s moving story in her own words (and see pictures of her life) on the web site at www.mybreathoflife.org, where you can also make a donation. A Breath of Life Benefit and Auction is May 5 from 6 pm to 10 pm at Hills Cafe, 4700 South Congress in Austin. Admission is $10 at the door. All donations are accepted.
For more information, call Debbie at 512-762-6432, or email debbie@mybreathoflife.org.

Amberlyn Fett of Dripping Springs.

Photos by Debbie Fett.

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