Help Bret Ford - Recovering from Lung Transplant Surgery

Many of you remember our brother, Bret, from his growing up years in Nebraska City, his college days in Blair and Lincoln, or perhaps from one of the kitchens he has chef'd in, most recently his own award-winning Bacon Nation food truck. As Bret's siblings, we are reaching out to all of you in an attempt to raise funds to assist with the overwhelming expenses associated with his upcoming lung transplant and recovery period.

Bret sought medical attention about a year ago after he began experiencing a nagging cough and shortness of breath while walking his recently rescued dogs, Cooper and Penny. Thanks to the encouragement of his soul mate, Raina, he sought medical attention for what he thought could be Covid. Bret's primary doctor ran a series of screening tests and promptly consulted a pulmonologist. After an exhaustive battery of even more tests, Bret was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. No cause was found. No cure is known. Just a very unlucky draw of the cards.

Bret's condition has declined rapidly, severely limiting his activities and requiring continuous oxygen use. He is on maximum medical therapy, including pulmonary rehab, and is now being worked up for lung transplantation at the University of Washington in Seattle, the closest transplant center to his home in Eugene, Oregon.

Following his transplant, Bret and Raina will be required to reside near the UW transplant center for approximately 3 months, provided there are no complications. Your generous GoFundMe donations will be used to offset the expenses of maintaining a temporary second residence in Seattle, and for surgical, medical, and pharmaceutical expenses that are impossible to estimate.

On behalf of Bret, Raina, and their two beloved fur babies, thank you in advance for your generous donations. If you are unable to donate monetarily, please keep them in your thoughts, meditations, and prayers. If you haven't already registered to be an organ donor, please take a moment to consider registering.

Gratefully,

Bret's siblings: Brad, Cindy, and Lori