Biography for Solana Cortez

Solana Cynthia Cortez was born on July 13 1981. Although she was born with cystic fibrosis, it was not diagnosed until she was 3 years old. She has been battling with her illness since she was 6 months old which was when she was first hospitalized. Her life has been busy with doctor’s visits, extensive hospital stays and huge amounts of medication ever since. Her family was informed that she would not live to be 8 years old, then teens and then 20s. When she met her current CF physician he stated that she has proved all others wrong so far so he would not put a time limit on her life.

Solana is now 31 years old. Even though much of her time was spent with treatments and activities to keep her alive, she has been able to accomplish much. She graduated from University of Davis with a bachelor’s degree in genetics, which took many years due to her illness. She founded two internet sites: Fight to Inhale and Creative Yarnings. She has a special talent for sewing costumes and crochet. Many have been surprised with the intricacy of her projects. Solana also enjoys beading, cross stitch, reading and photography. Her closest friend is a small special dog named Mick. He has been by her side for 4 years.

Solana and her boyfriend (Alex Cook) are part of Neighborhood Church in Chico California. They both belong to a group for single adults, Cross Roads. She has been able to do many outings with this group. Solana’s boyfriend nor her group have let her illness stop her from the activities they have planned.

The last two years have been particularly difficult for Solana. She has been unable to keep up with her health much less the activities she once enjoyed. In the last 6 months she has had to make emergency trips to nearby hospitals due to the fact she would not be able to make it to UCD (a one hour trip from her home). Her family was very concerned she would not be able to live long enough to get her transplant.

Thankfully, Solana received her double lung transplant on February 24 2013. She is currently at Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto California. The next 3 months will be a trying time for her and her care giver. Her family is attempting to raise funds to help alleviate the cost of living and medical equipment needed while at Standford, (Solana and her care giver must live near the hospital for 3-4 months).

Solana lives in Paradise, California. Her boyfriend, Alex Cook lives in Chico, California. Her mother, Cora Cortez lives in Magalia, California. Her father, Gary Fuller lives in Littleton, Colorado. She has two sisters, Alicia Sturgeon (Roseville, California) and Melissa Crafts (Chico, California). Her grandparents live in Loma Rica, California. She has uncles who live in Antelope, Concord, Rocklin and Citrus Heights California. All these family members and Solana’s friends are spreading the request for donations and appreciate any amount given. The family would like to thank Cota and all donators for helping in this time of need.

Letter from Solana’s Mother

Hello everyone,

I am writing to let everyone know that Solana had her double lung transplant on February 24, 2013 in the wee hours of the morning. I am happy to report that she is doing very well.  As most of you know, the Cortez family has had a very rough couple of years. There were deaths in the family, serious illnesses and many setbacks. Unfortunately, this caused the fund raising to be put on hold. On top of all this, Solana's health became quite poor this last year. She had many hospital stays and the doctor's were running out of options as to how to take care of her. The last 6 months were very rough on her and her family. As a mom, I was very worried that she would not make it to her lung transplant.  

February 12, 2013 Solana was taken to the Feather River Emergency in Paradise Ca via ambulance. Within hours she was life flighted (via helicopter) to UCD in Sacramento, Ca. Her primary CF doctors are at this hospital. She was in ICU for several days. She was still in the hospital when she got the call to go to Standford for the transplant. She was sent via helicopter to Standford.

I want to thank everyone for their prayers during the past year and especially during the last few weeks. So many things happened to make this transplant a reality. Many, many things could have gone wrong. Everything just seemed to fall together just right. I have been told that there were people praying for her across the world and I want to give my deepest appreciation to all of you.

We now look forward to 3-4 months of intense recovery. Solana and a care giver (her sister Alicia) have to stay near Standford for the entire time to closely monitor her recovery as she is very delicate at this time. It is our deepest hope that the rest of this process goes well.

Solana's health could not wait much longer for a transplant, but due to all of the setbacks and quick decline in her health we did not have time to finish fundraising to cover all of the transplant-related expenses. We are now humbly requesting any kind of donations or contributions in any amount.  All contributions will help patients like Solana in a full recovery with as little added stress as possible. Nothing has ever been too small and every penny and every prayer during this time has been given the utmost appreciation. Everything along the way has been, and continues to be a true blessing to this family. It is our hope that this reaches as many eyes and hearts as is Gods will to fulfill the needs of Solana's transplant by raising the rest of necessary out of pocket funds to have a safe recovery. I want to thank everyone in advance for opening your hearts to this story and doing whatever is in your means to save this young womans life.

This has been, and continues to be a long, emotional ride for Solana and everyone close to her. Prayers have kept us strong and continue to comfort this situation. If there is anyone willing to provide a donation or contribution of any kind please direct it to:
www.cotaforsolanac.com
Press the donate online button.
Press the donate now button.
Follow the directions.

Again I would like to thank everyone for their heartfelt prayers flooding in and donations to the fund that have already been made along with any coming in. This family could never thank everyone enough nor describe the relief of the life saving transplant that was made possible through the generous acts of others.

Sincerely,
Cora Dolores Cortez
(Solana's Mother)