A hip-hop benefit to raise money for Marrowstone Island resident Paula McCammon, who needs a second heart transplant, starts at 9 p.m., Saturday, June 27 at the Hilltop Tavern.

McCammon received her first transplant in 1999 at the age of 24, after a viral infection she contracted during her teens damaged her heart to the point that it only functioned at 10 percent, according to her sister, Julie Golzarian.

In March 2015, McCammon, now 40, suffered another heart attack. Her transplanted heart was working at 30 percent.

McCammon made it to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles before another heart attack struck on June 9. Golzarian got the call in the middle of the night, with hospital personnel informing her that McCammon was on life support.

“I told him, ‘She's really strong,’” Golzarian said. “She beats the odds because she’s always been this tough cookie.”

McCammon made it through the night and received an artificial heart on June 11, 16 years to the day since her first heart transplant, according to Golzarian.

An artificial heart can last as long as two years. Doctors will not operate on McCammon for at least three months while the artificial heart helps her body get stronger, Golzarian said. Then, they will evaluate her and see if she's ready for a new, human heart when it becomes available. Golzarian said the average wait for a heart is from four to eight weeks.

Already having had a transplant doesn't hurt McCammon's chances of getting a new heart; in fact, it works in her favor in many ways.

“They call her a ‘redo,’” Golzarian said. "What's good is she's already survived 16 years after her first transplant, so they know she's taken good care of her heart."

The average life expectancy after a heart transplant is 10 years.

Golzarian added that her sister has been a "really good patient through the years" and keeps track of all her medications.

McCammon also continued her work doing medical insurance billing while she was in the hospital, aiming for 32 hours a week so she could keep her own insurance.

With McCammon in the hospital for at least the next four months, Golzarian is committed to taking Emma Rose, McCammon's 6-year-old daughter, down for a visit one long weekend each month. While in LA, Golzarian intends to continue searching for a rental within 70 miles of Cedars-Sinai, a requirement before McCammon can be considered for a transplant since doctors want to keep her close after the procedure.

It's a long road for McCammon and her family, and the final price, given McCammon's complications along the way, is going to be more than $1 million.

"She's going to have debt for the rest of her life," Golzarian said.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

McCammon grew up in Port Townsend and, as an adult, met people through Emma's school. She was also a Girl Scout leader, Golzarian said.

McCammon's friends launched several fundraising efforts.

"I'm amazed at all the people who have come out of the woodwork," Golzarian said. "I never knew how popular she was."

A bake sale during the intermission of O'Meara Dance Studio's "50 Years" recital brought in almost $2,500. The GoFundMe page "Paula's Heart Campaign" has raised $13,118 of its $100,000 goal, as of Monday, June 22. Next up: the hip-hop heart benefit.

Confirmed acts are Knothead, Endgame, DJ Thay, Automatic (from Seattle), L3fty (Port Angeles), Ladro, Sean V, AK-47 and Function Music Group.

"Anytime we can raise money for a good cause, we're all about that," said David Olivas of the duo Endgame. "Arts in the community should be about giving back to the community."

According to Knothead, who spearheaded the event, sets will last 20 minutes. The suggested donation is $5 at the door – though more is certainly welcome – and 100 percent of the proceeds go to McCammon. The Hilltop Tavern, 2510 W. Sims Way in Port Townsend, is donating use of the space.

"The atmosphere is gonna be awesome," Olivas said. "It's gonna be fun. It's gonna be good vibes. Even if you're somebody who's not really into that music, stop by, donate some money and you might be surprised."

The benefit begins at 9 p.m. No minors are allowed.