Brian’s Journey of Paying it Forward

I am Brian ZB. I was blessed with receiving the gift of a double lung transplant on December 23, 2014, 11 years ago. The journey pre- and post-transplant has and continues to have obstacles and challenges. I wish I had the benefit of a mentor; this is a driving factor for me in taking on this role.

I find helping others navigate their transplant journey to be very cathartic and helpful to me. For me, it means reliving some of the most difficult times of my life in an effort to let them know I understand what they are going through. Also, it allows me to give my mentee insights and support on their journey. I share my experiences to provide clarity and understanding of the process while sharing a sense of camaraderie in battling a lung disease, preparing for, and recovering from a lung transplant. Paying it forward is a great way for me to honor my donor and thank them for blessing me with the gift of life.

In December 2025, I became a lead mentor for our new partnership with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, my transplant center. In this new role, I am honored to support the Lung Transplant Foundation in an expanded capacity. I manage a team of mentors, helping with training and other assignments as needed. This new role enables me to help expand the Mentorship Program’s mission by providing additional mentors for individuals embarking on their lung transplant journey. It truly is about people supporting people. 

Don’t Let Them Walk the Path Alone

Our Mentorship Program is one of our most valuable resources, connecting transplant recipients and caregivers with trained volunteers who have personally experienced the lung transplant journey.

If you are passionate about supporting others, we invite you to become a Mentor and help guide others through their path to recovery. Together, we can build a stronger, more supportive community.