Meet the Linn Family!
Lindsey and her family are a testament to resilience and love for the community.
The Linn family has quickly become a beloved part of the neighborhood since moving to Chapel Hill from Colorado. Lindsey, Jeff, 5-year-old Hollis, and 4-month-old Hazel have embraced Southern living with open arms. This family of four, plus their two furry companions, settled in and immediately felt at home. “We love this neighborhood!” Lindsey shares. “We are so thankful we landed here after moving from Colorado. We love how safe it is, the beautiful homes and how much everyone takes care of their homes, and the walkability!”
The Linns’ journey to Chapel Hill is a tale of love and new beginnings. Lindsey, originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Jeff, who grew up between Southern California and Northern Virginia, met on a dating app while living in Denver. Their first date at a local park with their dogs set the stage for a life filled with outdoor adventures and family fun. Speaking of dogs, the Linn household wouldn’t be complete without Earl, a 12-year-old chocolate lab known for his quirky left-only turns, and Oliver, a 7-year-old boxer who loves nothing more than a warm lap and cuddling up by the fire.
Academics and professional paths are also an essential part of the Linns’ story. Jeff is a graduate of Humboldt State University in California, while Lindsey completed her undergraduate degree at the College of Charleston and earned her nursing degree from Denver College of Nursing. Now, Jeff works as a data analytics engineer for State Farm, and Lindsey is a registered nurse specializing in pediatrics.
Their home is filled with hobbies and traditions. Evenings are spent enjoying family dinners and reading with the girls, and weekends often include Friday movie nights with pizza, exploring local attractions, and neighborhood strolls with their loyal pets. Hollis has embraced her new surroundings with enthusiasm. She loves swimming in the neighborhood pool during summer and playing outside with neighbors. Her creative side shines through her love for art and puzzles. She is a kindergartener at Woods Charter School which has been such such a blessing for the family. The newest addition to the family, 4-month-old Hazel, is already soaking up the warmth and friendliness of the community.
Family ties remain strong for the Linns, with frequent visits to relatives in Virginia Beach, Asheville, Greenville (SC), Washington, D.C., and Tennessee. These road trips allow Hollis to spend quality time with her cousins and help the family maintain connections with loved ones.
The move from Colorado hasn’t dampened their love for the outdoors. While their mountain hikes have been replaced with neighborhood strolls, the family still prioritizes time in nature. Jeff enjoys taking the dogs to run off-leash at nearby game lands, while Lindsey finds peace in walks around the neighborhood, often accompanied by music or an audiobook.
Another defining aspect of this family is their resilience and strength. Their daughter, Hollis, was diagnosed with a rare liver disease called NonSyndromic Bile Duct Paucity shortly after birth, and now, at only 5 years old, her condition has reached a critical point of needing a lifesaving liver transplant. Hollis has been officially listed on the transplant waiting list and is actively awaiting a donor. Due to the expected 12-month recovery process following Hollis’ transplant, Lindsey has made the difficult decision to temporarily leave her nursing career to care for both of their daughters. But this is not the only hardship the Linns are currently facing. Amidst this journey, the Linn family welcomed their second daughter, Hazel, who was diagnosed with the same condition in October. Consequently, while the family is focused on Hollis’ transplant, they are also learning to manage Hazel’s diagnosis. They are thankful for Support Now an organization that has played a fundamental role in helping the family raise funds and update family and friends during this critical time.
But beyond the financial concerns, the Linns are hopeful to bring exposure to the amazing gift and importance of organ donation in this close community. In addition to receiving a liver transplant from a deceased donor, Hollis is also eligible to receive a liver from a living organ donor. This option could provide her with an opportunity to receive a transplant sooner and increase her chances of a successful outcome. Living organ donation is perhaps one of the biggest gifts a person can give. Thanks to the less invasive laparoscopic procedures available at Duke Health and the amazing regenerative qualities of the liver, only a small portion of a liver needs to be donated. To learn more about this life-changing and selfless gift please visit: https://www.dukehealth.org/treatments/ transplant-program/liver-d
The Linns would like to say thank you to their community for coming together to support their girls and their small family while bringing awareness to their condition and the importance of organ donation. Together, we can make a tangible difference in Hollis’ fight for her life and provide the Linn family with the support they need during this incredibly difficult time.
For more information on how to donate or to follow the Linn family’s journey, please visit https://www.supportnow. org/the-linn-family
To learn more and support this extraordinary cause, visit: https://www.supportnow.org/the-linn-family