The Rachel Project

We are blessed to have achieved such growth and be where we are. Our mission of having the BEST team in town is what has achieved that – we owe it all to the people who have supported us. One in particular deserves mention as she is no longer with us. If you are reading this – she has affected your life. Honoring the legacies of those who have helped us along the way is important to us. If you did not have the pleasure of knowing her, we wish to introduce you to our dear “Big Red” Rachel Mauger.

Rachel was with the company for over 9 years. She has held every non-clinical role and been instrumental in our growth. She was born with a condition known as Cystic Fibrosis and has had more battles than I think our entire company combined. Cystic Fibrosis is a disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. The body produces thick and sticky mucus that can clog the lungs and obstruct the pancreas. Though faced with this incurable condition, Rachel always fought back. She was not only a 4.0 scholar in high school but went on to reach Level 10 in competitive gymnastics. This is the highest you can get at the Junior Olympic level. Her scholastic accolades continued with her achieving a 4.0 in college as well. She was set to move on to her dream career in teaching and was awarded a master’s in education. However, at the age of 25, Rachel’s lungs stopped working. She stopped her life essentially and was placed on a donor list.

On September 26th, 2009 – at the age of 26, she received the greatest gift of all – a double lung transplant which saved her life. As she could no longer work as a teacher due to the limitations from her transplant, Rachel applied and was our very first personal assistant. I am not a huge believer in destiny but I do believe that life places opportunities in our path and it is up to you to recognize them… such was the start of our relationship with Rachel.

Rachel’s dedication to us, our company and the things we do has no comparison. She has been in every behind the scenes role. She saw it all. Over the years, she has faced multiple challenges. Many surgeries, countless trips to NYC for consults and follow-ups. Her case was so rare – it has been in textbooks. The last 2 years of her life particularly grueling. Her lungs were holding up but her kidneys were not. She again, was the recipient of another donor – her father gave her a third chance at life by matching to be her kidney donor. Unfortunately, complications from her condition landed her in the hospital for so many weeks the last few years – a record 11 weeks straight at one point. However, no matter what, she continued to work. We held many meetings via teleconference, many late night phone calls and many long nights awaiting test results. Rachel never let on was how sick she was over the last 9 years in a large public manner – she never felt that she should be pitied for her health. She was not a medical cripple. She never talked about her trials and tribulations.

We miss her dearly and wish she was around to see how things are. She would find something to complain about and then go about fixing it. This company is as much hers as it is ours. To honor her I ask everyone to consider becoming an organ donor. It is truly a gift of life you can give. – Written by Dr. Mary John

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NYS Organ Donation Facts

• Nearly 10,000 New Yorkers are currently waiting for an organ transplant.
• Only 29% of New Yorkers age 18 and over have enrolled in the NYS Donate Life Registry.
• Just one organ donor can save up to eight lives and improve the lives of up to 50 people.