Super Bowl Halftime Event Aims to Raise $80,000

Holly Julian of San Antonio has battled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for the past 18 years. Her allergy/immunology specialist and pulmonologist have helped her manage the illness for many years, but the treatments stopped working three years ago. Holly now depends on an oxygen tank 24 hours a day, which limits her mobility. Doctors say her only hope for a second chance at life is a double-lung transplant. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, and it is estimated that someone dies every four minutes from the disease.

Holly is strong and remains optimistic about her future, but she is facing significant expenses related to the transplant. She has been told a double-lung transplant, follow-up care and medications will cost her approximately $100,000 in out-of-pocket expenses. A group of volunteers and supporters are working with the National Foundation for Transplants to raise funds in Holly’s honor to help with her medical expenses.

Recently, a group of musicians in the San Antonio area have been playing music under the name #TwitterJamBand. As the gigs and jam sessions progressed, a member of the group suggested they hold a fundraiser to help Holly with her transplant-related expenses.

Sunday, February 7, during the Super Bowl halftime show, the #TwitterJamBand will stream a live concert on UStream 5 minutes after The Who performs at the game. They are using Twitter, Facebook and blogs to encourage people to tune in to watch the concert and make a donation to the National Foundation for Transplants in honor of Holly. Their goal is to raise $80,000 during this exciting social experiment, and the group hopes it could lead the way for others to hold fundraisers using the same format.

Visit TheOtherHalftimeShow.org to learn more about the fundraiser. To read more about Holly, visit her Web bio on the NFT Web site.

Learn more about Holly by finding Hugs4Holly on Facebook, Twitter and the Hugs4Holly Web site.