In July of 2017, Gary was diagnosed with Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis which had destroyed his lungs. His doctors began testing and found high antibodies to mold in his system. After exhaustive professional testing of the leased home where they lived and Gary had his home office for 7 years, they discovered that the home tested positive for mold throughout. During extensive medical testing at UCSD Center for Transplantation, the doctors also discovered that Gary had mold fungal balls that had infiltrated his lungs. He was prescribed a very expensive medication that is effective against Aspergillosis, while waiting for a bilateral lung transplant. On April 2, 2018, a very critically ill Gary, received the gift of a bilateral lung transplant. During recovery, Gary experienced some complications that require further levels of monitoring and expensive prescription medications. However, this is just the beginning of a long journey to recovery. A transplant is not a cure but rather a way to extend the life of the patient requiring a lifetime regimen of prescription medications and monitoring to prevent rejection of the new life sustaining organs.
Before the transplant, Gary and his wife faced other challenges, as well. Gary and Debra were forced to find emergency housing within reasonable distance of UCSD while the Transplant Team put Gary through an exhaustive series of tests to determine his eligibility for lung transplantation. They grabbed a few items that could be cleaned of mold, and moved into a hotel while searching for a new housing situation. Most of their belongings had to be moved into storage or taken to the dump if they could not be remediated, all while they focused on Gary’s health challenges.
While Gary has health insurance, many of the prescription medications have very high co-pays and many transplant related expenses are not covered by his insurance. As a result of the mold found in their home, Gary and Debra have many expenses related to emergency housing, loss of belongings and replacement of items lost from mold and past and future mold remediation expenses. Expenses are piling up. Family and friends of Gary Earle are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses related to his transplant and emergency housing necessitated by his severe allergy to mold. Donations to Help Hope Live can ease the financial burden of a transplant and allow Gary to focus on a healthy recovery.
Gary and Debra have been blessed beyond words by the love and encouragement of many friends and family. One of those friends, whom wishes to remain anonymous, wants each of you to know that he will match dollar for dollar all donations made to Help Hope and Live for the benefit of Gary and Debra up to $25,000 to kick start Gary’ fundraiser.
Thank you for your support!
