Tim Johnson

Dear Family, Friends, and Supporters,

I’m writing to you with a heavy but hopeful heart about my little brother, Tim. He has always been a man of action. Whether he was sitting in the stands for countless hours as the ultimate “dance dad,” cheering at college games, or selling hotdogs at the Minnesota State Fair, he has always been there for his girls. When he wasn’t in the printshop, you’d find him in the country—tinkering in the barn, helping the kids with their show animals, or out in the woods hunting deer and turkey. He supported his family with a quiet, no-nonsense pride.

The Drastic Change All of that changed drastically in February 2024. What started as a doctor visit for something else ended with a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. In a matter of months, Tim went from an extremely active, healthy man to someone who can now barely move from his recliner. This disease has hardened his lungs and tethered him to oxygen, making even the simplest tasks—like tying his shoes or walking down the hallway—an exhausting battle.

The Greatest Challenge Now, at age 56, Tim is preparing to take on the greatest challenge of his life. With the expertise of the care team at UW Health in Madison, he is fighting for a lung transplant. He is determined in this fight because he wants his life back. He wants the “precious gift” of another opportunity to be the dad, husband, and outdoorsman he was before sarcoidosis took his breath away.

The Financial Gap While a transplant offers hope, it brings overwhelming costs: hospital bills, travel to Madison for labs, monitoring and treatment, and lifelong anti-rejection medications. Even with insurance, the out-of-pocket burden is heavy.

How You Can Help We are asking for your support. Every contribution — big or small — directly supports Tim’s transplant and recovery.

Donate: Contributions are tax-deductible and go directly to medical expenses through Help Hope Live.

Share: Help us spread Tim’s story to those who may know him from the fair, the printshop, church, livestock shows or dance competitions.

Encourage: Your prayers and messages mean the world to Tim, Danie, and the girls as they navigate this difficult chapter. Please consider sending a message through the guestbook.

Your kindness can give my brother the chance to breathe again — to walk without oxygen, to return to the outdoors he loves, to watch his daughters grow up. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us during the most difficult chapter of his life.

With deep gratitude, Deb Johnson Tim’s sister