Help Patrick & His Family During His Lung Transplant Journey

My name is April McDonald, and I’m here today to tell you about my husband Patrick McDonald and his story.

Patrick J McDonald was born and raised in the City of Tonawanda (NY). As a young man, he volunteered his time to his community with things such as passing out meals on Thanksgiving at The Salvation Army & coaching youth baseball for the Boys & Girls Club (North Towns). In 2004, he was awarded the City's "Monthly Model Citizen Award" from the Boys & Girls Club (North Towns). His family is deeply rooted in the community with multiple generations of volunteer firefighters with National Hose on William St.

Patrick started his family after marrying his wife April in February of 2015. They now have a total of 8 children ranging in age from 24 all the way down to 5-year-old twins. Patrick was a dedicated blue-collar worker at Dunlop until his health took a turn for the worse during the pandemic of 2020. He began to notice becoming easily winded, which eventually led to several battles with both Covid & pneumonia. His pneumonia resulted in a 7 day hospitalization in July of 2021. He became ill with pneumonia again in October 2022, which led to surgery initially intended to remove the fluid from his right lung. During the surgery, the cardiac/thoracic surgeon realized that 2 of the 3 lobes in his right lung needed to be removed. An emergency lobectomy was performed, resulting in a 30-day hospital stay. Patrick was then placed on supplemental oxygen, which, due to safety concerns, led to him losing his job at Dunlop. Regardless of his compromised respiratory issues, Patrick persevered and, for the majority of 2023, worked 2 desk jobs in order to provide for his family.

In January 2024, Patrick contracted RSV and pneumonia, which resulted in a 45-day hospitalization. He was sedated and on a ventilator/breathing assistance for 2 weeks in the ICU. Unfortunately, the ventilator scarred his vocal cords, leaving him sounding far more raspy than before. During the sedation, his leg muscles essentially deteriorated, so he had to go through extensive therapy to learn how to walk again and rebuild strength in the hospital's MRU (medical rehab unit).

After being released on February 14th, 2024, Patrick eagerly went back to work to support his family. March 20, 2024, he was rushed back to Kenmore Mercy Hospital because his left lung collapsed. He was offered lobectomy surgery on the left lung. However, he was advised that by having that surgery on both lungs, it could possibly eliminate him as a candidate for a lung transplant. He opted to be sent home with a chest tube and began making arrangements with insurance and transplant clinics within their network. He reluctantly scheduled an appointment quickly and was set to travel to Columbia University Lung Transplant Clinic in NYC for April 15, 2024.

On the evening of April 13, 2024, his left lung collapsed again due to a clog in his chest tube. Once again, he was admitted to the ICU at Kenmore Mercy Hospital and is still admitted. He is currently leaving to NYC Monday April 29th, Mercy Flight to NYU Lung Transplant Clinic, where they are certain they can help Patrick have a whole new quality of life. As for how long he will be gone, could be 4 months plus, is still a question.

During this his wife continues to manage all the kids and household chores, bills are Piling up, and we are also trying to play catch-up on bills that had fallen behind during Patrick's several lengthy Hospital stays.

Please help us and our loved ones with any donation you can, by donating a or what you would like, nothing is too small In this time of need! We will continue to update as time goes on. Thank you.