Community Corner

Julie Jorgensen Continues to Fight Influenza

Iowa woman has been hospitalized after contracting influenza A. See how she is doing and how you can help.

Via Urbandale Police Dept. - Iowa

As many of you know, Urbandale’s Julie Jorgensen is hospitalized in Omaha after being diagnosed with influenza A. Friends, family and the Urbandale community continue to rally in support of Julie, her husband, Urbandale Police Sargent Mark Jorgensen, and their two young children.

Julie exhibited flu-like symptoms over the holidays and was diagnosed just after Christmas. On December 29, she developed trouble breathing and was admitted to Iowa Methodist directly to the ICU. Unfortunately, her condition rapidly worsened and she was placed on an ECMO machine (heart and lung bypass) and dialysis and was transported to Omaha where she remains.

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The outlook was and still is uncertain but there has been some recent progress, according to the Caring Bridge site that has been established for Julie. What is expected to be weeks or even months of hospitalization is going fairly well this week, as Julie has spoken to family and friends over the phone and is making minor breakthroughs. Keep up to date on her progress at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/juliejorgensen.

What can we do to help?

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First and foremost, the family is welcoming any kind thoughts, prayers and positive energy you can send their way. There is also a benefit fund at Veridian Credit Union has been established to help the Jorgensens pay for expenses related to her treatment, lodging away from home, meals and more. Checks can be made payable to “Julie Jorgensen Benefit” and mailed or dropped off to any Veridian Credit Union location or the Urbandale Police Department at 3740 86th Street, Urbandale, Iowa.

For more donation information, please contact Officer Joe Fisher with the Urbandale Police Department by email at jfisher@urbandale.org

Photo Credit: Urbandale Police Dept.

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