Mentorship and the Power of Connection

A Testimonial by a Mentee in the Lung Transplant Foundation Mentorship Program

In October of 2025 my wife Doris and I attended the 20th Lungaversary celebration of my Lung Transplant Foundation Mentor, Pete. Many of Pete’s family members and his longtime friends stood up after dinner and told heartwarming stories while others jokingly roasted him—some did both. When Pete mentioned all the recipients sitting at my table, it was my cue to speak. Pete had been my pre-transplant mentor for about 8 months before I received my lungs at Duke, as well as 15 months post op.

I started out mentioning my trials and tribulations post transplant—acute rejection, a fungal infection, and trying to manage the mental issues all lung recipients encounter. I felt my first-year post op was a dreary situation. I had talked to Pete a few times on the phone during this time. Many times he would leave a voice message, a text, or an email checking on me, or sending me some transplant information. During a 2 week hospitalization, he even sent me a little gift bag with some trail mix and a book of puzzles, and called me to cheer me up. I reflected that my mentor’s communication kept me going through my troubled times. Without it, and the support of my wife, I wonder if I’d be standing here at Pete’s 20th Lungaversary.

Things will always be somewhat of a challenge, but I am moving in the right direction now. It was a nice dinner party and wonderful to meet and talk with Pete’s wife Terri, Nicole, Harley, and everyone at our table. And by the way, the BBQ was fantastic!”

Mark Griffith, Mentee in the Lung Transplant Foundation Mentorship Program

Learn more about the Lung Transplant Foundation’s Mentorship Program.