Lung transplant expenses for Davis
Donation protected
Davis went through the evaluation process for a double lung transplant at Texas Children’s Hospital and relocated from Birmingham, Alabama to Houston, Texas in February of this year. Davis, age 16 and a 10th grader at Vestavia Hills High School, had been sick for a long time. He weighed 83 pounds in September and his lung capacity was 12 percent of normal. His spirits were always good, but it was a great struggle to walk up a flight of stairs or get through a school day. It became necessary for him to begin taking classes from home by the middle of this school year.
The move to Houston in February was necessary so that he could go on a supervised weight-gain program at Texas Children’s in order to become eligible for their transplant program. With the program, his weight increased to 120 pounds over the course of the next two months.
Davis was officially placed on the transplant list on May 16, 2016. Amazingly, we received “the call” the very next day. One day later, on May 18, he was in surgery for more than 15 hours. He went in brave and fighting and upbeat, and his recovery has been going as well as can be expected thus far. His new lungs are functioning at 90+ percent capacity.
The exact cause of his lung disease (pulmonary fibrosis) is unknown. It is, however, more than likely the result of the extensive chemotherapy and radiation treatments he received when he was four. He was being treated for neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer.
The treatments for his lung disease that have been underway for several months and that will continue post-surgery involve significant medical expenses that are outside insured costs. Additionally, we are working to meet the housing, living and travel expenses that are required for his immediate family members to be in close proximity to Texas Children’s during his recovery.
All of the proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to help cover the aforementioned expenses. We are very grateful for the outpouring of support for Davis and the entire family, and are deeply appreciative of any and all contributions to help in this matter.
The move to Houston in February was necessary so that he could go on a supervised weight-gain program at Texas Children’s in order to become eligible for their transplant program. With the program, his weight increased to 120 pounds over the course of the next two months.
Davis was officially placed on the transplant list on May 16, 2016. Amazingly, we received “the call” the very next day. One day later, on May 18, he was in surgery for more than 15 hours. He went in brave and fighting and upbeat, and his recovery has been going as well as can be expected thus far. His new lungs are functioning at 90+ percent capacity.
The exact cause of his lung disease (pulmonary fibrosis) is unknown. It is, however, more than likely the result of the extensive chemotherapy and radiation treatments he received when he was four. He was being treated for neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer.
The treatments for his lung disease that have been underway for several months and that will continue post-surgery involve significant medical expenses that are outside insured costs. Additionally, we are working to meet the housing, living and travel expenses that are required for his immediate family members to be in close proximity to Texas Children’s during his recovery.
All of the proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to help cover the aforementioned expenses. We are very grateful for the outpouring of support for Davis and the entire family, and are deeply appreciative of any and all contributions to help in this matter.
Organizer
Michael Hartsell
Organizer
Birmingham, AL
