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LSU today article
‘Have a Heart Benefit’ planned for LSU alumna
A benefit to raise money for Jennifer Shih, Baton Rouge native and LSU alumna, will be held Friday, Nov. 5, at Park Tavern in Atlanta, Ga. The monies collected for the benefit will help pay for Shih’s medical costs and heart-transplant recovery.
She is the daughter of Jason Shih, professor in LSU’s College of Architecture and Janet Shih, manager in LSU’s Computing Services Center.
Shih, 29, is a graduate of LSU and LSU Medical School in New Orleans. She completed her pediatric residency at Emory University in Atlanta and in June of this year moved to Cincinnati, Ohio to begin a fellowship in pediatric cardiology.
Ironically, a few months into her fellowship, Shih began experiencing heart problems of her own. In early September, doctors diagnosed her as having a rare disease called Giant Cell Myocarditis and that her heart was too damaged to pump on its own and a transplant would be necessary for her to survive. On Sept. 12, a donor heart was found and transplanted into her body.
Today, Shih is doing well and her body is accepting the transplant. However, the road to recovery is long, and Shih may not be able to practice as a doctor, as her immune system may be too greatly compromised. While health insurance covers the cost of the transplant, there is a great deal of cost that Shih and her family will incur.
To help raise awareness about organ donation, assist in Shih recovery and lift some of the financial burden, Shih’s family and friends will be hosting a “Have a Heart Benefit.”
To find out more about the benefit and/or contribute visit http://haveaheartbenefit.com/ or send a contribution to the Jennifer Shih Medical Fund, c/o Michelle Giannini, 215 North Avenue NE, Apt. #3204, Atlanta, GA 30308.