Dear Family and Friends,

I’ve been slowly losing lung capacity since August 12, 2003 for a work related injury when I was exposed to chlorine gas. I was diagnosed with BOO1 bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonitis. I am breathing at 18% of my lung capacity and a lung transplant is necessary.

Organ transplantation is lifesaving, but expensive. As I live far from the transplant center I will have to move to Charlottesville, VA for two to three months following my transplant. I will have to take immune-suppressant medications for the rest of my life. As a result, The University of Virginia’s Medical Center’s transplant department recommended fundraising.