John McElroy

Dear Friends, Family and Community,

I have great news to share with you! On May 28th my wonderful husband, John McElroy, received the gift of life – a life-saving double lung transplant. He is doing well but we know he has a very long road of recovery ahead of him.

John is a loving husband, father of four, grandfather of three, true friend to many, an avid Harley Man, and adventurer. Exploring caves as a young man, John contracted histoplasmosis (aka Spelunker’s Lung and Cave Disease) and had one lobe of a lung removed 12 years ago.

After losing our home and belongings in a house fire last year, we were on a cross-country trip looking for a good climate for John to live in. While in Arizona, John’s lung condition and health rapidly deteriorated, he was hospitalized and within two weeks was airlifted to the University of Kentucky Medical Center and placed on the active transplant waiting list. Within two months he received his transplant.

As you can imagine, John’s strenuous journey has led to staggering medical bills. Already, thousands of dollars of uninsured medical expenses have accumulated and will continue to grow because of the need for follow-up appointments and anti-rejection medications. Even with insurance, the cost of transplantation is overwhelming. Because of this, we must continue to rely on those with giving and caring hearts. This is where your help is desperately needed.

A fundraising campaign in John’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for 30 years. All contributions are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in South-Atlantic Lung Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Any size gift will be so appreciated.

On behalf of John and myself, thank you for your kindness, support and generosity.

Kelly McElroy
859-338-2560
[email protected]