When my mom used to ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I told her that I wanted to be a dad. The journey to fatherhood with cystic fibrosis is full of obstacles, but I would give anything to pass on the traits I've gained from living with this disease to a child of my own.
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If your cystic fibrosis care team refers you to a lung transplant center, you and your transplant team will have the opportunity to get to know each other.
Although my lung transplant was the end of one story, it was also the beginning of another, more difficult story.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people raise millions of dollars for Great Strides -- the CF Foundation's largest national fundraising event. But did you know that the staff of the national office in Bethesda, Md., form their own department teams and also raise money alongside the CF community?
I made it onto the transplant list after first being rejected. After 18 months of waiting, I got the call that my new lungs were waiting for me.
I did the research. I asked the questions. I thought I knew what to expect when I had a double-lung transplant. I was surprised by what I learned.
Because transplant is such a complex process, most transplant centers require that candidates gather the necessary social support to help navigate the transplant process.
Halloween, April Fools' Day, and Mother's Day may be average American holidays for most, but for me, they mark three important days in my long, emotional journey toward a new pair of lungs.
My life milestones wouldn't have been possible without the drive and dedication of the generous people who donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
After my transplant team said I was too sick to undergo a double-lung transplant, I was determined to get well enough so that I could.