Support David Santopietro’s Lung Transplant

My dad, the strongest kindest man I know, has provided support to family and friends throughout his life. Now it is time to support him. Despite being vaccinated and having previously contracted COVID 19, he was again diagnosed at the beginning of November 2021. After a week of body aches and fatigue, his oxygen levels began to drop without any noticeable difficulty breathing. On November 14, 2021, he was admitted to St. Elizabeth’s hospital in Utica New York. He received all medications and treatments available, but his lung condition continued to worsen. Having no underlying health conditions and being strong and active, we assumed his lungs would heal. They did not. His condition worsened and he now requires high flow oxygen every moment just to stay alive. Any movement, no matter how slight, causes significant desaturations in his oxygen level and threatens his ability to survive.

My dad, along with our family, REFUSE to give up. On January 21, 2022, he was flown to Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx and is currently being assessed as a candidate for a double lung transplant. We are told that this expensive and risky procedure is his only chance for survival. My mother will be by his side spending the next six months to a year living in New York City. The costs are substantial.

So much about this terrible disease is devastating. Anger, sadness, anxiety and fear are only some of the emotions felt everyday by his family, friends and himself. My father, David Santopietro fights for every breath to live another day with strength and dignity. He is an amazing human being. Anyone who has had the pleasure of experiencing the love, joy and selflessness that defines who his is, is truly blessed. In his hospital bed, he told me, “I just want to live long enough to meet my grandson and breath fresh air again.” That is what we want too, and so much more.

David Santopietro, dad, papa, husband, uncle, cousin, son, coworker, friend needs your help. Please be part of giving him the chance to breath fresh air, play with his grandchildren and laugh again. Our love is endless, our strength is impenetrable, our determination is unstoppable and our faith is unwavering. Any amount of support matters in this fight. We thank you from the bottom of out hearts.