Debbie Donald Memorial Foundation
The Debbie Donald Memorial Foundation, Inc, or Debbie's Fund, has been established in memory of Debbie Donald, one of the longest surviving quadriplegic patients in history.
Mission Statement
The Debbie Donald Memorial Foundation, Inc. was founded by Avery Biomedical Devices, Inc. in 2007. It is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The stated purpose of the Foundation is to provide breathing pacemaker equipment and supplies to those patients in need of financial assistance.
Debbie's Story
Debbie Donald became a C1-C2 quadriplegic as a result of a diving accident in 1972. She was only seventeen years old. She spent the next year of her life confined to an intensive care unit because she was tethered to a mechanical ventilator to breathe for her.
In 1973, Debbie became one of the first patients to every be implanted with a breathing pacemaker, or phrenic nerve stimulator. This device, developed by Dr. William Glenn at Yale University and Roger Avery at Avery Laboratories, delivers electrical impulses to the diaphragm and restores breathing in patients with high spinal cord injuries.
Debbie was soon able to be discharged from the hospital, and lived in an apartment with the assistance of part-time caregivers. After proving to her physicians that she could sustain ventilations using a technique called glossopharyngeal breathing, she had her tracheostomy removed.
Debbie supported herself by joining an association of foot and mouth painting artists. She learned computer skills and was instrumental in the development of a number of early assistive devices for the disabled.
Debbie because a lifelong advocate for the disabled. She spoke at schools, hospitals, and other civic organizations and was featured on a number of national television programs in her native Canada. Debbie was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and she slipped into a coma from complications of surgery. Debbie passed away on December 3, 2005.
Debbie's obituary stated while she "may have been in a wheelchair, immobile save for her pretty, expressive face, she was a force of nature." You could not meet Debbie without being taken by her spirit and passion for living. She will be missed by all who knew her.
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A copy of Debbies' eulogy is available here. Adobe Reader is required to view PDF files. |
Grant Application
The Debbie Donald Memorial Foundation, Inc. is accepting applications for equipment donations from:
Patients with quadriplegia, a congenital or acquired central hypovenilation syndrome, or other indicated condition who are medically appropriate candidates for implantation, but are uninsured or otherwise unable to afford the device.
and
Patients already implanted with a breathing pacemaker who are no longer insured or in need of financial assistance for supplies.
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The grant application is available here. Adobe Reader is required to view PDF files. |
Donations
The Debbie Donald Memorial Foundation, Inc. is a registered 510(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations of breathing pacemaker equipment no longer in use, can be sent to:
Debbie Donald Memorial Foundation, Inc.
c/o Avery Biomedical Devices, Inc.
61 Mall Drive
Commack, NY 11725-5725 USA
Attention: Linda Towler, CPA
