Our father, Donnie Whitfield, has been suffering from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis since 2008. His condition worsened quickly in September 2014 and he was placed on the waiting list for a life-saving double lung transplant. His doctors at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have told us that this is his only hope for survival.
Dad is a loving husband, father, grandfather and good friend to many. He is a retired MSG with 28 years of service with the Army and Tennessee National Guards. He served in Vietnam and Iraq. Dad grew up in Fayetteville, Tennessee. He was a resident of Shelbyville/Tullahoma for 24 years. Currently he resides in Winchester, Tennessee. The disease forced him to retire from Arnold Engineering Development Center after 25 years as a Machinist Journeyman (Mechanic). Also, our mother Betty is unable to work at this time due to being his full time caregiver while waiting for the lung transplant.
A Lung Transplant is life-saving but it is also very expensive. Even with insurance there are many expenses that must be paid out of pocket. Some of these are co-pays, deductibles, travel to and from the transplant center and relocation for approximately six months at the time of transplant. In addition, Dad will be on a life-time of expensive anti-rejection medications.
A fundraising campaign in Dad’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. Please consider making an end of year tax-deductible contribution.
On behalf of Dad, Mom and our family, we thank you for your kindness, generosity, support and prayers.
Misty and Renee
931-808-7035
campbellmis2@yahoo.com
