Gift of Life!! Lee Hearndon

In 2019, just as covid was beginning, Lee began having cold like systems, increased sputum and difficulty breathing. He was diagnosed with bronchitis, and covid pneumonia, and placed on multiple regimens of care. In August of 2023 we were sent to a pulmonologist and through multiple tests to rule out certain conditions, Lee was finally diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis or Scarring of the lungs from unknown origin in December 2023. Lee has been on continuous Oxygen after a hospital stay in August 2024. When walking or out in the South Mississippi Humidity he needed 15 liters of oxygen. This has hindered his ability to live his life as he wants. It has been so bad that Lee named his oxygen bottle, Oxygina, LOL. He said, “Oxygenia, is the neediest girlfriend I have ever had, she follows me everywhere I go and she has to hold my hand All- The- Time!”.

Lee has always been a fighter. He enjoys life and he enjoys spreading laughter, love and joy. He has a sarcastic wit, and his true laugh is infectious. Lee was raised in Wade, Mississippi on the Pascagoula River as his Father Bunch Hearndon and his Grand Father Sammie Hearndon were so fishing, boating, bathing, swimming or just sitting in the river was their way of life. Just sitting around the house was making him emotionally tired and depressed.

In November 2024, Lee was invited to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida for testing to be admitted into the lung transplant program. We were here for the entire month of November, had more tests then either of us have ever had combined. The experience we have had here at the Mayo Clinic has been exceptional in ALL aspects. So after all the testing we made our way home on December 6, 2024. We had only been home for three days and the Mayo clinic called and told us to return to Jacksonville, Florida. We returned to Jacksonville, Florida on December 13, 2024, found an unfurnished house to rent. We brought our clothes a blowup mattress and some food and a card table and all my little Weiners. Lee started another round of pulmonary rehab, weight loss, and getting his diabetes under control. On December 20, 2024 we were called and advised that we had been placed on the UNOS (United Network For Organ Sharing) list. YEAH! one step closer. On December 23, 2024 at 9:00 pm we received a call that they had found Lee a set of LUNGS!! and he needed to come to the ER in the am. We headed up the Mayo Clinic ER at 7:55 am, more testing on the lungs was needed, so Lee stayed overnight. ON December 25,2024 Lee received a Christmas Miracle. NEW LUNGS! A PRECIOUS GIFT OF LIFE!Lee and I are so very grateful for all the love, support and prayers that have been bestowed upon us.

Thank you all.

According to helphopelive.com the average cost of a double lung transplant are as follows: Pre-transplant medical care needs (30 days): $45,000Organ procurement: $127,700Hospital admission for transplant: $759,800Physician cost for transplant: $77,200Post-transplant medical care needs (180 days): $231,500Immunosuppressants and other medications: $26,500This example does not include lodging, food, travel expenses, utilities and much more. Lee and I are asking our friends and family to help raise money to assist in covering these expenses.

Please donate to HELPHOPELIVE in Lee’s honor and ask your friends and family to give as well. We would like to plan fundraisers here in Jacksonville and at home in Wade, Mississippi.

If there is anyone interested in helping with this please send me, Malissia Hearndon, an email at, [email protected] . Lee will be on antirejection medications for the rest of his life. Lee and I would like to Thank everyone in advance for your generous tax-deductible donation. HelpHopeLive does not charge anything for these services, they get a very small percentage of the donations, and you as a donor can be assured that your donation will only go towards medical expenses, treatments, lodging, travel, food, medical equipment, medically necessary home repairs (mold abatement), Hospital and Doctors fees not covered by insurance.

Thank you and God Bless you all,

Malissia and Lee Hearndon