Becky Cunagin

Becky, a 64-year-old Grandmother of 10 suffered catastrophic damage to her lungs in 2019 after a battle with Pneumonia and Sepsis, and Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Diagnosis. Over the last 5 years, Becky has been trying to maintain her health with frequent doctor visits, weekly infusions, pulmonary rehab and medications. Despite all attempts to maintain and improve health, Becky has had many extended hospitalizations and has been approved for a double lung transplant. 

In September of 2024, she was officially listed on the lung transplant list and is awaiting her hope of a longer life. Once a very active Grandmother, Becky’s passion are her 10 Grandkids that range from 23 years old to just 7 years old. She loves visiting the Cincinnati Zoo and strolling through the parks, which she has been unable to enjoy with her youngest grandchildren. She enjoys community festivals and making jewelry with her youngest granddaughter Riley. Loving and passionate, she has been a bright light in the lives of her 4 kids and grandchildren.

Since her hospitalization and Alpha 1 diagnosis in 2019, Becky has had to be extremely cautious of her surroundings and how many visitors she can have at once due to the increased risk of illness and infection. She can no longer frequent public places such as the grocery store, parks, festivals or even sporting events for her athletic grandchildren. Due to the damage to her lungs, she requires oxygen 24 hours a day 7 days a week and cannot walk far distances. She struggles with sleep as she has to sleep slightly elevated, and the risk of her Oxygen falling off during sleep is prevalent. Another ailment that is a result of the need for Oxygen support, is that she suffers severe muscle spasms in her hands, feet and rib cage which adds to her struggle to breathe. Becky and her family are fundraising for the enormous medical costs accrued during her transplant recovery that will help aid in housing and food, among any other added costs that may arise. 

Becky will be living in Cleveland, along with her oldest son and daughter-in-law, for several weeks post-transplant. Becky’s team estimates that added costs could be up to $25,000. Becky hopes that a double lung transplant will give her many more years of adventures and new memories with her grandchildren. She is looking forward to a new outlook on life and creating new memories that will last a lifetime. She has many goals to accomplish with the hopes of new lungs and is very excited to begin this journey. Her first goal after transplant and recovery is to visit the Cincinnati Zoo and community festivals with family. 

If you are able please donate to Help Hope Live in Becky’s honor today, share Becky’s campaign page with your community. We would love to plan some fundraisers in Becky’s honor too, so if you can help with that as well, please reach out to her daughter Morgan at [email protected].