When friendship is strong, it’s a powerful connection that bonds people together for life. Allyson Leach (Pottstown, PA), Heidi Lechman (Pennsburg, PA) and Julie Riggi became close friends in college, when they attended Widener University in Chester, PA in the late 1990s. Years later, they still had a relationship that most would envy, which was held together by Julie – a woman that Allyson and Heidi describe as a warm and caring person, whose bubbly and happy personality put a smile on everyone’s face who knew her. Julie’s charisma wasn’t the only thing that set her apart from others – she was also a survivor.
Julie and Allyson and Allyson’s daughter.
In 2004, after a lifetime of fighting Cystic Fibrosis (CF), Julie was told that she would need a double lung transplant to survive. “People never knew that she was sick. She did a respiratory treatment twice a day, but she lived a normal life.” said Allyson. “She was a nurse, got married to her college boyfriend, John, and had a son, Johnny. She was a phenomenal person, and was always there for everyone and willing to help them.”
Heidi was Julie’s little sister in their sorority at Widener. “I never knew that she had CF, and didn’t have a clue that she was sick. I just remember when I met her, I knew that I would have a friend for life.” said Heidi.
After receiving a life-saving double lung transplant, Julie became passionate about putting her gift to good use. She joined Team Philadelphia, traveled with the team and competed in the Donate Life Transplant Games every other summer from 2006-2010, bringing home gold medals in several events.
Heidi said, “After her transplant, Julie was able to play tennis with her family. She bowled and loved to travel. She went to Disney, Mexico and Hawaii. Her true love was her family and the students that she cared for. She was an amazing school nurse.”
After six years with her double lung transplant, Julie’s health began to fail again. She was listed for a second transplant and received a third chance at life in 2010. Even with her new set of lungs, her illness was too great and she passed away shortly after her transplant. Today, Heidi, Allyson and Julie’s family join together to honor their friend at the Donor Dash as team Smiles for Julie.
“After her first transplant, Julie was happy to volunteer at the Dash.” said Heidi. “She loved to talk to people and share her story.” Today, Smiles for Julie is a non-profit organization that raises funding in support organ and tissue donation and CF.
“Those six years that Julie received from her transplant were so memorable. We were able to spend that time with her – which was a gift to us. She was so special to us.” said Heidi.
Allyson said, “We talk to family and friends and encourage them to register as organ and tissue donors. It’s very humbling to know that someone’s selfless decision to be a donor allowed her to live for years more than she would have. She lived fully during that time, and she had a dramatic effect on people. Everyone was touched by the great person that she was.”