Jim Danley is a loving 60 year old man, married for 39 years to Nancy. He is also the proud father of a son (James) & his amazing family including Melissa, and his two beautiful Grandchildren Jordan & Skye. Sadly having lost his daughter (Crystal) shortly after his transplant, which left a hole in his heart, while gaining one lung from his unknown hero, A multitude of extended family and friends have giving him so many more reasons to show his humble strength to survive “Everyday”
Remarkably after recently having celebrated his 16th (what he calls) his “Lungaversary”. He is in this situation due to a condition called Alpha One Antitrypsen Deficiency. His 1st transplant was performed on 2/13/2003, awakening on Valentines Day at the Shands Hospital, University of Fl. in Gainesville, Florida. While originally successful, He is now in rejection awaiting a 2nd transplant critical to his very survival due to his immune systems rejection of the new lung.
Adding to the drama’s in his life are two “Complete Hip Replacements” brought on by one of the medications sustaining his life, multiple Cancer scares, & Gastroparesis, to name a few of the obstacles that have failed to stop amazing will and strength to live.
More incredibly, as if having as low as 15% of normal lung function was not also a hurdle, he began “singing” after being told only a lung transplant would save his life! First recording a CD as a gift to his wife for unending caregiving and support, yet after repeated inquiries as to where his music could be found he began creating, then giving them as gifts for donations made to this site, and other efforts of assistance from so many that have helped him through these challenges.. A collection of many of these songs are now available on a web site (www.jamesedwarddanley.com) he is creating to also including a link to a book he has written describing his “Breathless Journey”, and poetry also written throughout his life.
Financially, there is an never ending list of medications, and additional expenses to warrant the need for fund raising. Even if the expected $300,000. cost of a lung transplant is not daunting enough, just one of the specialized medications (Prolastin) specific to the cause of his diagnosis of Alpha One Antytrypsen Deficiency requires a nurse and weekly Iv infusion at a cost of $5500 per dose, or $22,000 a Month, totaling
$266,000 per year. With a copay of up to 28% after insurance!
To best tell his story he wrote a poem prior to his 1st transplant, which best describes his journey & condition, as well as honoring his unknown Hero:
