Dean´s Double Lung Transplant

Dean Forsberg is a 59 year old man, Husband of April, Father of three and grandfather of 4 beautiful kids. He worked in the farming and forest industry since he was 15 years old.



Dean was diagnosed with severe COPD and Emphysema in 2012, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a type of obstructive lung disease characterized by long-term breathing problems and poor airflow. The main symptoms include shortness of breath and cough with sputum production. COPD is a progressive disease, meaning it typically worsens over time, in 2016 he was no longer able to work or join any physical activities with his family. Dean has always worked hard and family is his life, the inability to provide for his family has wayed heavy on him.

 

Dean has overcome many obstacles in his life, during a back surgery he lost the use of his leg, the doctor said he would never walk again, he spent a short time in a wheel chair and spent 2 years on crutches and wore a brace from hip to foot for many years, today he walks with no brace. the christmas of 2019 Dean had to have emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix, when they opened him up it was so septic that the doctor said he should never have made it off the operation table, Dean is a true fighter and his will to live is apparent in all he has went through  in his life.

Dean is having the final testing for a double lung transplant and to proceed with transplant Dean and his wife have to move 12 hours away from home to Vancouver and live near the transplant clinic for 6 months. His recovery and stay in Vancouver will cost $20,000 (CAD), he will not be able to work for at least a year after the transplant, and finances are a huge stress added to all the concerns that come with having a transplant.

 

Dean had saved enough money for his transplant but due to the fact that he has been unable to work since 2016, he and his wife have had to live on that money and have continually fallen behind, they are in bad need of financial assistance.

Dean is fearful but optimistic about his upcoming transplant, he looks forward to working side by side with his wife, kids, grandkids and future grandkids.

 

Thank you to all who have taken the time to read Dean´s story, from the bottom of our hearts words can not express how grateful we would be for any help we could receive, we ask for your prayers to be with Dean and his Family.