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Pulmonary fibrosis -Help for hope

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I am 61 years old and have been diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a lung disease for which there is no cure. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis

The  only possiblity of a cure is a lung transplant for which I am no longer qualified. Last year, I went for pre-testing and was put on the list in January.  But after having my hopes built up, I was taken off the list because I am at too much risk to survive the toxicity of the anti-rejection medication after the surgery. And so I was basically left to die. I am on oxygen 24 hours a day and can barely walk from room to room. I am in the severe stage of this disease. I miss the world and freedom so much. I love life and at this age, I still have things to do, things I should have done but always said there would be time later. I have two sons, one who is mentally challenged and the other who may give me a grandchild some day. I would dearly love be here to see that child. I used to sing but can no longer do so. This disease slowly robs you, little by little, of your abilty to enjoy life. However, lately I have heard of and been in contact with people who do venous blood and stem cell work which , while there are no guarantees, shows an 81% success of improvement rate for people like me. I might once again be able to do some of the little things I once took for granted. A good number of patients show significant improvement, enough at least, to enjoy life again. This procedure involves taking blood from my own body (no one else's) and giving my stem cells back to me to reconstruct the lungs.  You can read all about the lung institute here https://lunginstitute.com.

If anything else, the fact that I will have had this procedure, would make me feel better, in that, my condition might be improving rather than plunging to the final destination. Of course, there are costs for this procedure and I am asking for any help you can provide to cover these, as I am in Canada and the treatment is in the United States. It is not covered by medicare or private insurance. But stem cells are the future of medicine. This is all the hope I have and I would be so appreciative of any amount you can spare even though it comes with no guarantees. The three day procedure will begin May 31st at the Pittsburgh clinic, which is closest to where I live but still a fair distance. The clinic makes sure that they have my medical records before proceding. I would be so grateful and keep you all up to date. If this works for me, I would also broadcast the word to others like me in hopes of helping as many victims of lung disease as possible. We all take breathing for granted, but in my case, I will live for each and every breath you give me. 
Steve

J'ai 61 ans et je suis atteint de Fibrose pulmonaire Idiopathique. Une maladie rare qui affecte mes poumons. Cette lourde affection est dégénérative et incurable. En quelques mois j'ai considérablement perdu mon autonomie. Une transplantation des poumons était auparavant envisageable, mais il y a deux mois on a du malheureusement m'enlever de la liste d'attente de peur que je succombe suite à la haute toxicité des traitements post-opératoires.
J'avais perdu tout espoir mais voilà qu'une grande opportunité s'offre à moi aux Etats-Unis.
Le 31 mai je dois me rendre à la clinic de Pittsburg du Lung Institute https://lunginstitute.com/ pour y entreprendre les trois premiers jours des procédures médicales. Ce traitement de fine pointe est régi par un protocole rigoureux qui consiste à prélever des cellules souches de mon sang et les réinjecter dans mes poumons afin de les regénérer.
Cette méthode a démontré un taux de 81% de réussite et j'espère de tout cœur pouvoir me joindre à ces statistiques. De toute évidence, je conviens qu'on ne pourra me redonner le rythme de vie d'avant, mais j'espère au moins pouvoir apprécier les plus petites choses que la vie pourrait encore à m'offrir.
Votre contribution financière pourrait m'aider à défrayer les frais de la clinique puisque les assurances ne couvrent pas ces procédures qui sont non reconnues par la Régie d'assurances maladie. Merci de tout cœur de m'avoir lu et de considérer m'aider. Je vous tiendrai au courant des développements.
Steve
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Donations 

  • Liz MacRae
    • $50 
    • 8 yrs
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Organizer

Steve McFall
Organizer
Lachine, QC

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