Travis Poland

As many of you know, I was born with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that affects the respiratory and digestive systems. Diagnosed at age six, I have been slowly losing lung capacity throughout my life. Today, I am unable to work, and even with supplemental oxygen, simple tasks such as showering and getting dressed have become difficult. My wife and I have been told that my only chance at survival is to have a double-lung transplant.

Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic are overseeing my care, and I know this transplant will give me a new lease on living, and a quality of life I have yet to experience. Unfortunately, the transplant that will save my life does not come without cost.

Even with insurance I will have many uninsured transplant-related expenses such as: co-pays and deductibles, doctor visits, travel and temporary relocation housing for three months to stay close to the transplant center and the costly immunosuppressant medications that I will need to take for the rest of my life. Erika will have to leave her job so that she can serve as my caregiver – an additional loss of income. All of this presents a financial challenge that Erika and I cannot meet alone.

To help with these uninsured expenses, 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 Great Lakes Lung Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. If you wish to make a donation, please click the DONATE NOW button.

Erika and I are truly grateful for your support in helping me get my second chance at life!

Sincerely,

Travis and Erika Poland
614-420-5032
[email protected]