Salon to hold fundraiser for 2-year-old waiting for a new heart
LAFAYETTE — Two days before Lindsay Lobe's second birthday, she underwent an eight-hour surgery to implant a mechanical heart as she waits on a transplant list for a new heart.
Lindsay's medical bills and other expenses continue to rack up as she remains in extensive care at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore in Bronx, N.Y. The family keeps a tally of the number of days Lindsay stays at the hospital, she was admitted on Nov. 7, which totals more than 90 days so far.
Lou Bowie, an employee at Village Mane in Lafayette Village and a family friend of the Lobes, has organized a fundraiser at the salon to help the family with their costs.
Taking place Sunday, Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the fundraiser will offer haircuts, manicures, mini massages, door prizes and tricky trays, where 100 percent of the money raised will go towards Lindsay.
"The girls are donating all their time and the salon is donating everything," said Bowie.
The Lobe family, of Clifton, have only received one bill so far for $79,000. The insurance company covered a decent part of it, but Susan Lobe, Lindsay's mother notes that bill did not even cover her heart surgery. There are plenty more to come.
"We are just expecting the astronomical really because she has been in intensive care the whole time," said Lobe.
Along with medical bills not covered by the insurance, costs associated with Lindsay's care include daily travel — tolls and gas — from Clifton, N.J. to the Bronx.
"We are pretty much here every day," said Lobe. "I am usually here at the hospital three to four nights a week and I sleep here. My husband (Danny) sleeps here two nights a week and my mother is here one night. She is never alone."
Lindsay contracted this heart issue in early October when she and her sister, Emily, came down with Parvovirus or Fifth Disease — which causes a skin rash and a fever. Lindsay has two tins sisters Abigail and Emily both eight years old.
Emily got better after a few weeks, but Lindsay was in out of doctors' offices and emergency rooms as her symptoms got worse. One in 100,000 children can develop serious symptoms — Lindsay became that one.
Bowie organized the event because she wanted to help her friend in her time of need.
"The family going back and forth each day to Bronx, insurance only covers so much and neither of them are working now to take care of the kids," Bowie said. "I just felt so helpless, I had to do something. If everyone could just give $10 they could be so much better off."
For those that can not attend the event or for those wishing to make a donation to the Lobe send it to: The Lindsay Heart Fund, c/o Lou Bowie, 6 South Orchard Terrace, Sparta NJ 07871.
The Village Mane is located at 75 New Jersey 15, Lafayette, in Lafayette Village. For more information contact the salon at 973-383-9221.