Foundation Tackles Growing Insurance Problem of Capping Transplant Coverage; Forcing Many Families to Choose Between Life With Significant Financial Debt or Even Death

DALLAS, Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Dallas entrepreneur and author Sandy Halliburton is bringing national attention to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), an incurable and progressive lung disease claiming over 40,000 lives annually; the same amount that die from breast cancer. Five million people worldwide are affected by this disease with more than 200,000 in the United States. While hope lies in receiving a lung transplant, many insurance companies do not cover the full cost of this life-saving procedure.
 
"It's sad and alarming how so many families find themselves in this difficult situation - needing to secure additional funding for what has been determined a medically-necessary and life-sparing treatment," said Sandy Halliburton. "The bureaucracy in the healthcare system gets in the way of providing viable treatment options to patients with IPF. It makes a person want to stand up and do something," added Ms. Halliburton.

This year, Ms. Halliburton formed The Willett Foundation, a 501(c)3 non- profit charitable organization established to financially aid lung transplant patients with inadequate insurance coverage and to heighten awareness of IPF.

"The number of pulmonary fibrosis patients who cannot get life-saving lung transplants because their insurance companies will not cover the procedure is quite substantial. We get calls all the time and, unfortunately, there is often not an answer for them." - Dr. Michael Rosenzweig, President, Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation

Sallie Shea, of Milwaukee, WI, will be the first to receive funds for this life-saving procedure. Sallie has been part of Ms. Halliburton's life for 33 years, as Ms. Halliburton was her babysitter. Now 33, Sallie has been told by her insurance company they will not cover the full cost of the lung transplant. "I am grateful for the Foundation and look forward to the day when I receive my transplant and can help others in the same situation," said Ms. Shea. Her hope is to one day serve as president of the Foundation.

To raise funds, The Willett Foundation is hosting Nanci Griffith (2-time Grammy Award winner) in concert on Saturday, November 11th at The Milwaukee Theater. For tickets visit http://www.ticketmaster.com .

For information on how to support the Foundation or to request an interview, please email info@willettfoundation.org or visit http://www.willettfoundation.org .

__________________________________________

Source: Sandy Halliburton

Copyright © 2006 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2006 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.