At the age of 13, Jeff was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Many years later, his work as a tile setter would also contribute to his lungs becoming scarred and stiff, thereby decreasing the oxygen that they could produce. In 2008, at age 51, he was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Hyperthyroidism requiring radiation treatment. Then, in 2011, he was severely short of breath, hospitalized, placed on oxygen 24/7, and given Prednisone to help improve his breathing. This is when he was officially diagnosed as disabled by his physicians and was forced to stop working. In May 2013, he fell and ruptured both of his quadriceps tendons. He had emergency surgery and was then in a wheelchair with out-stretched legs for three months. He is a fighter, for sure!
Now for the biggest fight of his life, he needs help from his family, friends and acquaintances. Jeff Spring needs new lungs! After a long and complicated evaluation process, the lung transplant surgeon at the University of Virginia Medical Center has recommended Jeff as a prime candidate for a bi-lateral lung transplant. This gift of life will be an answer to many prayers and gives Jeff hope.
Jeff is now facing significant new challenges. Thank God, Jeff has insurance coverage for his transplant. However, there is a very large deductible that must be met, and, after his surgery and initial weeks of recovery in the hospital, he must live in Charlottesville, nearby the hospital for 3-6 months. As you can imagine, since being disabled, he has been surviving on a very limited fixed income.
To help ease this financial burden, a fundraising campaign in Jeff’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the South Atlantic Lung Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Thank you for considering making a contribution.
Thank you. Your prayers and support will help Jeff make it through this difficult time
Kathleen Wimbrough (Jeff’s sister) 757-484-4604
