Lung Transplant for Dad

Hi, my name is April, and I'm fundraising for Ron Angel's lung transplant. He's my dad, and he worked hard to get himself on the lung transplant list. He was diagnosed with emphysema in 2005 and has deteriorated to less than 19% lung function in only one lung. The other lung is no longer serving any purpose. He has followed rigorous doctors' tests and demands to qualify for a lung transplant.

To qualify for placement on the transplant recipient list, he's endured: stress tests, heart caths, therapy, a colonoscopy, lots of exercising while struggling to breathe, thousands of miles driven to appointments, all of this AND he had to get all of his teeth extracted!

Just for the chance to be placed on the list.

His greatest joys in life are his children and grandchildren. My Dad adopted me when I was in 7th grade. Mom kept the secret of his paternity from me until I was ten. He didn't have to adopt me, but he did so because he wanted to be sure he could keep being my dad in case of a divorce. I didn't understand the gravity of the situation then. It just seemed matter-of-fact that he was my Dad. He's only ever wanted to support and care for his family and his children. I want to help him now. I'm proud of his hard work and his deep commitment to a new lease on life.

Today, June 1st, he received the call to "come quick, ONE new lung is available!". I'm writing this while he is on his way to surgery. He will have to temporarily move and stay close to the doctors during the long recovery. His wife, Diane, will be his sole caregiver through it all. This fundraiser is being launched to help support them in this long road to recovery.

We all have interesting and winding life stories; I hope his involves a new life out in the world. He's been limited for a long time. I would love for him to be able to enjoy activities with my busy daughters out in the world again. Any amount of support you can give will be so appreciated and deeply received. Thank you.