Kappy Pease is a father and grandfather living with a severe lung disease. He is on the waiting list for a lifesaving double lung transplant. We asked Kappy about his perspective on balancing fatherhood and the challenges of life on the transplant waiting list.
Why Fundraising Works For Us
Since my first visit to the hospital where a social worker suggested we begin a fundraiser to help us with the costs of transplantation, my family has come together and has been very helpful in their efforts to work with HelpHOPELive. So far, because of their dedication, we have been very successful.
Each of my kids has taken time out of their busy life to take some of the burden off of my wife, Theresa, and I, both physically and emotionally. They have each stepped up in their own way and have been very supportive. I know I could not do this without all of them.
“I could not do this without all of them.”
Although my insurance will cover most of the transplant procedure, there are many hidden and unexpected costs not covered. The expenses begin long before the procedure takes place and they last a lifetime, including travel, lodging, parking and food during countless hospital visits and the unpaid time off that my wife will take in order to care for me after the procedure. Most of all, fundraising will help contribute to the cost of the (antirejection) medications I will need to take for the rest of my life after the transplant.
I have found that much of the support I receive comes from old friends who have learned about my time of need through social media and our HelpHOPELive campaign. Working with HelpHOPELive has been a very positive experience. Their knowledge and support has been very helpful to someone who had no prior experience with fundraising.
HelpHOPELive provided custom fundraising materials and more.
How My Family Supports Me
It has been very rewarding to watch my kids grow and begin to start their own families. I am very proud to say that they have each become very successful in their own way. I’m humbled by the compliments I have received about my kids. The way they have stepped up for me during this time makes me feel like my wife and I raised an amazing family.
Family members “have stepped up for me during this time.”
At this point in my life, I feel closer to my kids than ever before. Before my diagnosis, I worked very long hours that caused me to miss out on a lot of my five kids’ daily lives and activities. I especially missed getting to watch their sports games, because sports are something that are very special to both me and my kids.
I feel that the physical limitations of my disease have been more challenging as a grandfather than as a father. My kids are adults now, and they need me more as an advisor and a part of their emotional support system.
A transplant will help Kappy spend more quality time with his grandkids.
Since my diagnosis, I have been given the chance to spend more time with all of them and grow closer to them; however, because of my disease, there are also many things we still cannot do together. The hardest part is my limited ability to play with my very young grandchildren. Once I get the transplant, I will hopefully be able to do many things that I have missed doing for the last 10 years. That includes golfing, hunting, fishing, playing with my grandkids and taking long walks with my wife.
My advice for a new father is, enjoy every moment because they grow up way too fast.
“Enjoy every moment” Kappy advises new fathers.
Learn more about Kappy or donate in his honor at helphopelive.org. If you know a father who needs help fundraising for a transplant, reach out to us today to learn how you can help.
Kappy Pease is a father and grandfather living with a severe lung disease. He is on the waiting list for a lifesaving double lung transplant. We asked Kappy about his perspective on balancing fatherhood and the challenges of life on the transplant waiting list.
Why Fundraising Works For Us
Since my first visit to the hospital where a social worker suggested we begin a fundraiser to help us with the costs of transplantation, my family has come together and has been very helpful in their efforts to work with HelpHOPELive. So far, because of their dedication, we have been very successful.
Each of my kids has taken time out of their busy life to take some of the burden off of my wife, Theresa, and I, both physically and emotionally. They have each stepped up in their own way and have been very supportive. I know I could not do this without all of them.
Although my insurance will cover most of the transplant procedure, there are many hidden and unexpected costs not covered. The expenses begin long before the procedure takes place and they last a lifetime, including travel, lodging, parking and food during countless hospital visits and the unpaid time off that my wife will take in order to care for me after the procedure. Most of all, fundraising will help contribute to the cost of the (antirejection) medications I will need to take for the rest of my life after the transplant.
I have found that much of the support I receive comes from old friends who have learned about my time of need through social media and our HelpHOPELive campaign. Working with HelpHOPELive has been a very positive experience. Their knowledge and support has been very helpful to someone who had no prior experience with fundraising.
How My Family Supports Me
It has been very rewarding to watch my kids grow and begin to start their own families. I am very proud to say that they have each become very successful in their own way. I’m humbled by the compliments I have received about my kids. The way they have stepped up for me during this time makes me feel like my wife and I raised an amazing family.
At this point in my life, I feel closer to my kids than ever before. Before my diagnosis, I worked very long hours that caused me to miss out on a lot of my five kids’ daily lives and activities. I especially missed getting to watch their sports games, because sports are something that are very special to both me and my kids.
I feel that the physical limitations of my disease have been more challenging as a grandfather than as a father. My kids are adults now, and they need me more as an advisor and a part of their emotional support system.
Since my diagnosis, I have been given the chance to spend more time with all of them and grow closer to them; however, because of my disease, there are also many things we still cannot do together. The hardest part is my limited ability to play with my very young grandchildren. Once I get the transplant, I will hopefully be able to do many things that I have missed doing for the last 10 years. That includes golfing, hunting, fishing, playing with my grandkids and taking long walks with my wife.
My advice for a new father is, enjoy every moment because they grow up way too fast.
Learn more about Kappy or donate in his honor at helphopelive.org. If you know a father who needs help fundraising for a transplant, reach out to us today to learn how you can help.
