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Strangers Come Together To Help Swine Flu Victim

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Nov 7, 2009 6:04 pm US/Mountain

Strangers Come Together To Help Swine Flu Victim

Reporting
Paul Day

PARKER, Colo. (CBS4) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: Justinn Harrison with CBS4's Paul Day.
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H1N1 Survival Guide

Complications from swine flu nearly killed a Colorado woman and now she has enormous medical bills. So the Parker community came together Saturday to help her out.

The pain of rehab at Porter Hospital doesn't compare to what Justinn Harrison has already survived -- pneumonia complicated by swine flu.

"The H1N1 is what really sapped my body," Harrison said.

At one point Harrison went into respiratory failure.

"They did have to resuscitate me."

Before going to Porter, Harrison was first admitted to Parker Hospital. That was more than a month ago and she has no insurance. Today her medical bills exceed $300,000. So friends of the 33-year-old organized a giant fundraiser to help her out.

"We've got an auction, belly dancers, a 200-pound pig we're going to be roasting for everybody," friend Debbi Lardinois said.

"She's a lover of people and animals," friend JR Burcham said. "Everyone that meets her just walks away with a smile.

The fundraiser was held at Buffalo Boyds Saloon in Parker. The cost was $10 at the door and all proceeds will benefit Harrison.

"To me it's not about the money," Harrison said. "The outpouring of love from my friends has been … I don't have any tears left. I've cried so many because they continue to give."

But friends can only do so much. It was up to the generosity of strangers to help pay for the life-saving care she could never afford.

Additional Resources

CBS4's H1N1 Survival Guide contains hospital and clinic information for getting a vaccination -- many of them free. It also contains many useful links, sections and the latest articles and video clips about the swine flu. Visit the H1N1 Survival Guide

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