George Payne Needs a Lung Transplant!
George Payne is only 61 years-old and in desperate need of a lifesaving lung transplant. In 2001, George was diagnosed with a severe and progressive form of COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Over the years, George’s condition has progressed and George is now suffering from advanced stage emphysema. George’s doctors have told him that he needs a double lung transplant and without new lungs, George won’t survive too much longer. He is now undergoing extensive medical testing to be placed on the active lung transplant list at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois.
George was born is a small town in Arkansas where he grew up on a family-owned farm as a share cropper. Unfortunately, George never had the opportunity to complete high school, as he had to go to work and help out on the family farm in an effort to make ends meet. George grew up as a twin, and they are the oldest of four children. When George was only 21 years-old, he married the love of his life and they moved from Arkansas to Detroit, Michigan. George got a job working for the Chrysler Corporation where he stayed for almost seventeen years, working hard to support his family. By his early 40s, George became an active member of his local church and gave his life to Christ, where he finds his greatest joy. George sings in the male chorus and praises the Lord through gospel and prayer. George has always wanted to do more for God and God’s people, and his Pastor saw something unique in George and his commitment to God. George eventually become a Deacon in his church and serves God. This is his greatest joy as George enjoys spending time serving his people and community.
Updates (1)
November 30, 2017
It is a pleasure to tell everyone that at 7 months after a successful bilateral lung transplant, Mr. George Payne is taking full advantage at his second chance at life! After discharging from Northwestern Memorial Hospital, George began an intensive daily health maintenance routine that involves regular pulmonary rehabilitation three times a week, daily medication management, regular blood draws, chest X-rays, and bronchoscopies, and other testing as well as regular follow-up visits with his pulmonologist, neurologist, infectious disease team, and dietician. George has seen tremendous improvement in his quality of life. Prior to his transplant, George was confined to his home, on supplemental oxygen 24/7, and required assistance with even walking from the parking garage to the doctor’s office. Today, George is able to get to his clinic visits on his own, driving his own car, and at home is independent with his activities of daily living including dressing and grooming – AND ALL WITHOUT ANY SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN!
George is using his newfound energy and breath to help in his community by delivering food with the needy through his church, spending time with individuals confined in their homes, and spending quality time with his family including wife, children, and grandchildren. He is able to focus and concentrate on the tasks at hand, and this has been a total and complete turnaround for him. He is even able to hand wash his own car for the first time in 9 years!
It is essential that George continue to meet the obligations of his new chance at life, by maintaining his ability to meet the costs of: the amount of travel and parking to and from multiple medical follow-up appointments in Chicago, prescription medication costs, and perhaps most importantly, monthly premium costs for Medicare, supplemental insurance, and prescription drug coverage.
These expenses are lifelong and lifesaving and so we to help with this financial burden, a fundraising campaign with Help Hope Live, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years, continues. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law, are held by Help Hope Live in the North Central Lung Transplant Fund, and are administered by Help Hope Live for transplant-related expenses only. To make a donation to this fundraising campaign, please click on the yellow DONATE NOW button. For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Sincerely and most gratefully,
George Payne along with family and community
Photo Galleries (1)
Guestbook
March 10, 2017
Hello George, it's Jamie from the NW Lung transplant group. I'm 35 days out from transplant now, and doing great. I'm walking 2 to 3 miles per day with no O2! You are with a great team at Northwestern. You got this!
Jamie Nagle
February 23, 2017
Keep the faith my Brother god loves you and I do too
Carl Robinson
February 10, 2017
Bro stay strong ❤️
Sister Virgil
