Mike Young

Please Help Mike

When Michael Young was only two months old, he was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic lifelong lung disease for which there is no cure. He was in and out of the hospital for most of his childhood and his parents were told he would not live past age 18. The good news is that he has lived more than double that amount. The bad news is that his disease has progressed to the point of needing a double lung transplant within one year in order to survive.

Mike is a very creative, loving guy who has a great sense of humor and a warm sincere smile. He makes everyone who meets him feel special and important. Always a hard worker, Mike got his first job at 16 years old and worked in the restaurant business for 11 more years until he became permanently disabled by Cystic Fibrosis. He enjoys bike riding, cooking, playing cards, putting together model cars, doing yard work, watching movies and going to thrift shops with me (his girlfriend of 2 1/2 years) and loves spending quality time with my two children, the children he never had. Mike has been a Juggalo since 1996. Whoop Whoop! He is also a die-hard San Francisco 49ers fan.

Mike has started the pre-transplant process at the Cleveland Clinic and has been informed that financing this procedure is a monumental task, a challenge he cannot meet without support. There are many pre- and post- transplant related expenses that are not covered by insurance. At times like this, the help of friends, family and community is greatly needed and appreciated to make the outcome successful.

To assist him with these out-of-pocket expenses, a fundraising campaign in Mike’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Great Lakes Lung Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider making a contribution.

Mike is facing the challenge of his life to obtain healthy lungs so that he may continue living. Please help save Mike’s life.

Thank you for your support and generosity.

Susan Couch