“I think the biggest thing I want the (donor) family to know is how eternally grateful Jeff and I are for their gift and that we will always honor it. Everything we are doing to pay it forward with the Lung Transplant Foundation would make her really proud.”
– Martha Austrich
Lisa says, “I’m loving life again. I am so grateful for the donor and the donor’s family; they will forever be in my prayers.” Reflecting back on her journey, she says, “It means the world to be able to take a deep breath.” This is her story.
“At around age 30, I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. I was on oxygen for 16 years, wondering what day would be my last day. We never think that we would have to struggle to take a breath. I’ve learned not to take life for granted anymore.
What does it mean to celebrate my first year of breathing on my own? It is hard for me to put it into words. I am truly blessed to be able to run, to ride on an airplane without having to have a special oxygen tank, and getting to know my grandbabies without wearing oxygen. What it means to walk down the street, and be able to swing your arms back and forth, to be able to jump up and down, to wake up and get dressed, and to not have to worry about having enough oxygen tanks with oxygen.
I am so grateful to be hands-free, and no matter the different challenges I may face today, it means the world to be able to take a deep breath and to just hang out with my family and my friends, and to know that God is not finished with me yet. I give God all the glory and praise to celebrate this first year breathing on my own.”
Do you have a story to share? We’d love to hear more stories like this from lung transplant recipients and their caregivers. Please send us an email to info@lungtransplantfoundation.org. You, too, can be an inspiration to others.
A lung transplant transforms lives affected by diseases such as cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and COPD. These diseases affect more than 15 million Americans and are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Rejection rates for lung transplant recipients are worse than that of any transplanted organ. We want to change that through funding research to stop all lung transplant rejection. We can’t do it alone. We invite you to help people like Lisa. Make a donation or learn more about how you can be involved.
“I am Jerry, and I received the gift of life with double lung transplant at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis on June 2, 2015.
In 2008 during a routine examination, scarring was noted on my lungs. A follow-up exam with a Pulmonologist confirmed that scarring was Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
I was advised the disease contains a rather bleak prognosis, of death likely within 5 years of diagnosis. Fortunately, the disease remained somewhat dormant for several years.
In January 2014 I ended up hospitalized with Pneumonia, which was precipitated by several increased bouts of shortness of breath. I was then advised of the need for continuous oxygen, and the need to proceed with lung transplant inquiry.
My Pulmonologist referred me initially to Cleveland Clinic. I was approved there in November 2014, and subsequently approved as well at IU Methodist in January 2015.
After having a dry run in March 2015, I received the gift of life on June 2, 2015, from my donor angel Tristan Hackman.
I have been blessed with a renewed opportunity to live. I made contact with my donor’s family, including her son, mother, father, brother, sister, niece, and nephews. They have received me with open arms, and I too have reciprocated. We have met several times, and routinely stay in touch.
This gift of life has allowed me to enjoy my family and friends, that strongly supported me during my 1 1/2 years of preparation and oxygen dependency. I have been able to spend quality time with my wife of 38 years (Tina), as well as enjoy the lives of my children and families. I have two children, and two grandchildren ages 6 and 2.
I am thankful for my gift of life, and forever grateful to my donor Tristan Hackman”
PHOTO: Jerry and wife Tina and I enjoying their 38th anniversary in downtown Indianapolis.
Jerry – Transplanted: June 2, 2015
A lung transplant transforms lives affected by diseases such as cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and COPD. These diseases affect more than 15 million Americans and are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Rejection rates for lung transplant recipients are worse than that of any transplanted organ. We want to change that through funding research to stop all lung transplant rejection. We can’t do it alone. We invite you to help people like Jerry. Make a donation or learn more about how you can be involved.
Having a lung transplant allowed me to travel and see the places I love. The Lung Transplant Foundation gives me more hope for more adventures, more tomorrows.
A lung transplant transforms lives affected by diseases such as cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and COPD. These diseases affect more than 15 million Americans and are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Rejection rates for lung transplant recipients are worse than that of any transplanted organ. We want to change that through funding research to stop all lung transplant rejection. We can’t do it alone. We invite you to help people like Laura. Make a donation or learn more about how you can be involved.
Because of my donor, I have been gifted nine years of wonderful life.
Jess – Transplanted April 18, 2010
A lung transplant transforms lives affected by diseases such as cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and COPD. These diseases affect more than 15 million Americans and are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Rejection rates for lung transplant recipients are worse than that of any transplanted organ. We want to change that through funding research to stop all lung transplant rejection. We can’t do it alone. We invite you to help people like Jess. Make a donation or learn more about how you can be involved.
Deepest gratitude to my donor family forever & ever…. 2 years & 9 months post double lung transplant at UCLA!
Maqsuda – Transplant date: 2016
A lung transplant transforms lives affected by diseases such as cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis and COPD. These diseases affect more than 15 million Americans and are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Rejection rates for lung transplant recipients are worse than that of any transplanted organ. We want to change that through funding research to stop all lung transplant rejection. We can’t do it alone. We invite you to help people like Maqsuda. Make a donation or learn more about how you can be involved.
In April 2007, Maria was diagnosed with Systemic Scleroderma. At 35 years old, Maria had already survived atypical viral pneumonia, chronic encephalitis and several days in a coma. Systemic Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune, degenerative and incurable disease that causes Pulmonary Fibrosis and Pulmonary Hypertension, among other conditions. Maria was connected to oxygen concentrators for four years to keep her alive. The only way to save Maria was a double lung transplant. A double lung transplant was not available in her country.
Maria tried to receive a lung transplant in several centers around the world. She was rejected in Spain, Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina and in several transplant centers in the United States due to her base disease. In October 2014, she was officially listed for a double lung transplant at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Maria remembers this day as one of the happiest days of her entire life. To raise funds to pay for her transplant, she created a bracelet campaign. Maria and her family made and sold more than 100,000 handmade bracelets with a message of hope.
Maria received the largest amount of supplemental oxygen, a person can receive to stay alive. She was on the verge of death. On December 23, 2014, she received the best Christmas gift ever: a double lung transplant. Maria never forgot when the nurse said: “It’s a go!”
She lived to the fullest for five very challenging years. In 2018, Maria overcame two renal failures, a respiratory virus, and a gynecological dysplasia. As a consequence of her treatment and condition, she was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5, and needed a life-saving kidney transplant.
Maria made a commitment to educate and raise awareness, especially in the Hispanic community, about how important organ, tissue and eye donation is. Maria called organ donation: “the most wonderful miracle of modern medicine.” After being connected to supplementary oxygen for 4 years, in wheelchairs, unable to even go to the bathroom by herself, she was able to breathe.
Maria was an Ambassador and Spokesperson of Respirar es Vivir Foundation and Ambassador of Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency, United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), Lifebanc, Organización Nacional de Trasplante de Venezuela (ONTV) and Mentor of the Lung Transplant Foundation. As an Ambassador and Spokesperson of Respirar es Vivir Foundation, she promoted and encouraged different activities to improve the lives of patients suffering from chronic obstructive respiratory diseases.
Maria –Transplanted: December 23, 2014
A lung transplant transforms lives affected by diseases such as cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis and COPD. These diseases affect more than 15 million Americans and are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Rejection rates for lung transplant recipients are worse than that of any transplanted organ. We want to change that through funding research to stop all lung transplant rejection. We can’t do it alone. We invite you to help people like Maria. Make a donation or learn more about how you can be involved.
Luckily, I had an unofficial mentor to help guide me through the process, someone my age who was transplanted a few years earlier than me.
Hannah – Transplanted: Jan 1, 2015
A lung transplant transforms lives affected by diseases such as cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis and COPD. These diseases affect more than 15 million Americans and are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Rejection rates for lung transplant recipients are worse than that of any transplanted organ. We want to change that through funding research to stop all lung transplant rejection. We can’t do it alone. We invite you to help people like Hannah. Make a donation or learn more about how you can be involved.
By the time she was in her 40s, she was so breathless that she struggled to walk the short distance between her car and the door to her work. But now, she is able to compete in events like the American Lung Association’s Fight For Air Climb at Carew Tower thanks to a double lung transplant. During September for Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, she is sharing her story to inspire others who have been diagnosed with the disease.
In early 2000, Robinson became fatigued, short of breath and had unexplained weight loss. Her doctors diagnosed it as stress and mild asthma, but this illness continued about every six months for years. After several tests and a lung biopsy, she was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis at just 43 years old.
“I lived with pulmonary fibrosis for many years,” said Robinson. “I worked for a while and then I noticed that I was struggling to walk from my car into work. With pulmonary fibrosis, you can’t catch your breath. Simple everyday tasks become nearly impossible due to shortness of breath. It is very scary.”
At that point, she was unable to work. On April 9, 2015, her disease was so bad that her doctors told her that she needed a double lung transplant.
“ It was devastating to hear that I needed a Double Lung Transplant to save my life.” “My emotions went wild,” she said. “After 3 months of waiting for an appointment, my Lung Journey began, so that I could be placed on the Lung Transplant List.”
On March 9, 2016, Robinson got the call she had been waiting for — the hospital had received donor lungs for her. But she wasn’t out of the woods yet. Lung transplants are very complicated and serious surgeries. Robinson had several life-threatening complications, which resulted in her being in the intensive care unit for 45 days, for a total of 90 days in the hospital.
“I am truly an organ transplantation success story,” said Robinson. “I took a year to recover, but I never gave up the fight. You have to have will, determination, and a positive attitude to make it through something like this.”
With a new set of lungs, Robinson is able to do things that she has never done before. In August 2018, she traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah to participate in the Transplant Games of America where she competed in the 5K race and volunteered. On February 10, 2019, she participated in the Fight For Air Climb at Carew Tower in Cincinnati with four other people who had received lung transplants. For the event, she climbed 45 floors, for a total of 804 steps and raised more than $300 in the fight against lung disease.
“I was slow, but I was bound and determined to reach the top,” said Robinson. “I hope to do it again this February.”
Today, she is feeling great, travels often and focuses on doing things that she has never done, like the Fight For Air Climb. She is sharing her story to raise awareness about pulmonary fibrosis and also inspire those who are currently living with the disease.
“If you are newly diagnosed, definitely don’t read what you see on the internet,” she said. “Stay as active as possible and try to eat the best that you can. It is OK to be sad and angry when living with this lung disease. Build a strong support system to get you through those tough times.”
To learn more about the Fight For Air Climb at Carew Tower, happening on February 9, 2020, visit FightForAirClimb.org/Cincinnati.
Tammy – Transplanted: March 9, 2016
Story originally published by the American Lung Association
A lung transplant transforms lives affected by diseases such as cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis and COPD. These diseases affect more than 15 million Americans and are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Rejection rates for lung transplant recipients are worse than that of any transplanted organ. We want to change that through funding research to stop all lung transplant rejection. We can’t do it alone. We invite you to help people like Tammy. Make a donation or learn more about how you can be involved.
I have no idea why I was chosen for this second chance but I intend to do whatever I can to help whomever I can in all ways possible.
Lung Transplant Foundation is an organization that raises money for research to try and find a cure for rejection. Fifty percent of lung transplant recipients die within 5 years from chronic rejection. With Dr. Palmer’s urging, I contacted Jeff and became involved with the Lung Transplant Foundation. The people in this organization are wonderful and are simply looking for a way to beat rejection. We want to fix that. We have a vested interest in finding this cure.
I truly want to make a difference here and I firmly believe that
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today & make a new ending!”
That’s my new goal in life! I won’t be denied!!
A lung transplant transforms lives affected by diseases such as cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis and COPD. These diseases affect more than 15 million Americans and are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Rejection rates for lung transplant recipients are worse than that of any transplanted organ. We want to change that through funding research to stop all lung transplant rejection. We can’t do it alone. We invite you to help people like Harry. Make a donation or learn more about how you can be involved.
