Dennis Pereira

Breathing is something most of us take for granted. I did. But when your lungs do not provide the air you need, your body becomes paralyzed and you can’t move. I have been slowly loosing lung capacity since I was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2005. It is very difficult to attempt simple activities even with the use of oxygen. After breathing tests, x-rays and a cat scan of my lungs, the results showed that the disease has progressed and a lung transplant is necessary.

Organ transplantation is life-saving but very expensive. Even with insurance, I will have many uninsured transplant-related expenses such as: co-pays and deductibles, doctors’ visits, travel and temporary relocation housing at Mason House to be near the transplant center and the costly immunosuppressant medications that I will need to take for the rest of my life. As a result, the McKelvey Lung Transplant Center at Emory has recommended fundraising to help ease the financial burden for these uninsured expenses.

To help with this financial burden, a fundraising campaign in my honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for more than 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Southeast Lung Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider making a donation today by clicking on the DONATE NOW button.

Your financial gifts as well as your prayers will be greatly appreciated.

With sincere gratitude,

Dennis Pereira