Jamie Nagle

On February 5, 2017 Jamie had a double lung transplant at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago. This has been a long time coming as in early 2014 he was diagnosed with Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, an aggressive interstitial lung disease. This disease causes inflammation in the lungs that in turn develops into pulmonary fibrosis (scaring of the lung tissue).

Though he tried every traditional and alternative medical treatment available, his lung function has continued to decline rapidly. Eventually, Jamie has needed to use supplemental oxygen 24/7 and has no longer been able to work. At the time of his transplant his lung function was under 16% capacity; which his doctors said was an indicator not only of the severity of his disease, but also a testament to his strength as they have never seen a patient with such poor lung function not in a coma. That said, his only hope for survival was a double lung transplant. This procedure is one of the longest, most dangerous, and complicated surgeries that one can undergo, however, so far Jamie is thriving. He has a long road ahead of him with at least several weeks of inpatient care, several months of 24 hour care, and at least a year before he can start working again.

After many years of helping his family, friends, and strangers in whatever way he could, Jamie is now the one who needs our help. While the transplant can save Jamie’s life, it is financially draining and there will always be the risk of rejection. Even with insurance, we are facing very high expenses, which include expensive life-long anti-rejection medication, co-pays, deductibles, and out of pocket expenses. As Jamie is only in his 30s and hopefully has many more years to live, this will cause a significant financial burden for the rest of our lives.

To help with the financial burden of Jamie’s uninsured expenses, his family and I have established a fundraising campaign in his honor with Help Hope Live, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 35 years. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law, and are held by Help Hope Live in the North-Central Lung Transplant Fund. These funds are administered by Help Hope Live for transplant and after care related expenses only.

Please consider a contribution. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the GIVE button. And please share this page with your community so they may also consider a donation.

Know that any contribution you can give will be gratefully received and well-used toward getting Jamie back to the adventurous, fun loving, inspirational, outrageous person he has always been. Thank you so much for you thoughts, prayers, and support.

Nici Schult, girlfriend/domestic partner

Mail a Check
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live

Note in memo:
In honor of Jamie Nagle

Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087

For more information please call 800-642-8399