Set To Soar
Judi and Ron met when she was a flight attendant in the 1960s. During her career in the skies, she participated in one of the first Boeing 727 flights. More than 55 years later, Judi says she and Ron are still each other’s best friends.
“In those days, you weren’t allowed to date a passenger!” Judi said. “After two years, I had to leave. We wanted to get married.”
After the wedding, they moved to California. Judi received her master’s degree in counseling from California State University, Fullerton, and served as executive director of several groups that assist people experiencing homelessness.
“I’m very open and do my best to listen to people and their concerns,” she said.
Two children and 38 years in the Bear Republic were plenty, and it was time for a change of scenery: Charlotte, North Carolina. But Judi’s dedication to serving the less fortunate never wavered. She volunteered with the nonprofit organization, Home Again Foundation, and is a peer-to-peer counselor with the Patient Family Advisory Council at the Levine Cancer Institute. Ten years since her initial stage four breast cancer diagnosis, Judi provides wisdom and firsthand advice on how to battle the disease.
“The Council is very patient-centric, which is fabulous,” she said. “I try to help people through their journey.”
Judi is also living with pulmonary hypertension, a chronic condition of the lungs and heart. Through her work, she provides information to new patients on the financial assistance options available, including The Assistance Fund (TAF), from which she has received assistance for more than a year.
“My treatment was between $900 and $1,000 a month,” Judi said. “I don’t know how anyone could do it without assistance.”
TAF’s Pulmonary Hypertension Copay Assistance Program provides eligible individuals with financial assistance for out-of-pocket costs for all prescribed FDA-approved treatment for pulmonary hypertension, such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. It took Judi just minutes to apply.
“When the acceptance letter came through, I was elated,” she said. “I just cannot say enough about TAF and all they do. Without TAF, there would be no way that Ron and I could do this.”
Judi refuses to entertain negative thoughts, insisting people in her life wear a smile and stay positive.
“There are people who will come to me and say, ‘I’m so sorry about your diagnosis,’” Judi said. “I never allow that in my life. I’m just so doggone grateful.”
