McNeely Bilateral Lung Transplant Surgery
Donation protected
Friends, We are overwhelmed!
The concern and support has been amazing. It’s been 3 years since I was diagnosed with Scleroderma/Mixed Connective Tissue Disease that caused my lungs to deteriorate with Pulmonary Fibrosis. This journey has had a lot of ups and downs, but my faith has continued to be strong.
We have relocated to Durham, and we are a part of the Duke University Lung Transplant Program. We were expecting to be listed for a lung in maybe 2 to 3 weeks, but Duke said the disease was moving faster so they listed us on March 21, and they were very aggressive about finding lungs as soon as possible.
On Saturday, March 23, we got the call. They had a set of lungs that they were considering. It was time to head to the hospital. On Sunday March 24, I got new lungs. The recovery process is going to be slow and steady, but we are ready to endure.
God says, “I know the plans I have for you, the plan to prosper you and to give you a FUTURE and a HOPE.” He also states, “I’ve begun a great work in you, and I am faithful to perform/complete it. This next move is going to be exciting. It’s a move to do greater things to make an impact on the lives of others. There are so many impactful things God has called me to do and he’s setting me up for one of the greatest comebacks ever.
But we can’t do this alone. The cost and strain of this surgery is tremendous. Double Lung Transplant Surgery is one of the most expensive and difficult transplants. In addition to also relocating to Durham during pre-surgery and post-surgery, you must have a caregiver available 24/7, thus Sheila, my wife, is here too. Our stay in Durham could be 4-6 months (we pray it won’t be longer) before we released back to Charlotte.
Since so many of you have asked, “What can I do? How can I help?” The transplant surgery happened sooner that we expected, so right now the best way to help is probably through a fundraising campaign.
Enclosed you will find a financial justification letter from Duke. We are raising more than suggested as Duke doesn’t take into consideration “back home expenses,” loss of income from the caregiver (my wife has to be with me 24/7 which impacts her ability to work), and other pre and post surgeries outside of the actual transplant, etc. We appreciate each one of you so much. Your call-to-action has been so uplifting - by all the kind cards, calls and text messages that steadily come like waves of encouragement. So many have just sent checks, dropped cash into our bank account or into ours hands, like we said…overwhelming kindness.
As we are in the hospital, starting the recovery process, we recognize that this is a life changing journey. A lot of work and a lot of change, but we embrace it and know that our challenges are the literal oxygen that fuels us toward our purpose, and we appreciate all of your support in getting us there.
To our family and friends who are a part of this fundraising team, we thank you. For all of the prayers that you have said, we thank you and urge you to continue to pray without ceasing as we do for all of you.
Love,
William and Sheila
GRIND x FAITH
A special account has been established for all contributions. If you’re more comfortable using Zelle or Cashapp you can contribute using the following email or Cashtag:
[email redacted]
$coachmac7
If you would like to forego the GoFundMe transaction fee, GoFundMe allows that option. Just select special and input $0 from the dropdown menu. You can also include any amount to support the GoFundMe platform.
The concern and support has been amazing. It’s been 3 years since I was diagnosed with Scleroderma/Mixed Connective Tissue Disease that caused my lungs to deteriorate with Pulmonary Fibrosis. This journey has had a lot of ups and downs, but my faith has continued to be strong.
We have relocated to Durham, and we are a part of the Duke University Lung Transplant Program. We were expecting to be listed for a lung in maybe 2 to 3 weeks, but Duke said the disease was moving faster so they listed us on March 21, and they were very aggressive about finding lungs as soon as possible.
On Saturday, March 23, we got the call. They had a set of lungs that they were considering. It was time to head to the hospital. On Sunday March 24, I got new lungs. The recovery process is going to be slow and steady, but we are ready to endure.
God says, “I know the plans I have for you, the plan to prosper you and to give you a FUTURE and a HOPE.” He also states, “I’ve begun a great work in you, and I am faithful to perform/complete it. This next move is going to be exciting. It’s a move to do greater things to make an impact on the lives of others. There are so many impactful things God has called me to do and he’s setting me up for one of the greatest comebacks ever.
But we can’t do this alone. The cost and strain of this surgery is tremendous. Double Lung Transplant Surgery is one of the most expensive and difficult transplants. In addition to also relocating to Durham during pre-surgery and post-surgery, you must have a caregiver available 24/7, thus Sheila, my wife, is here too. Our stay in Durham could be 4-6 months (we pray it won’t be longer) before we released back to Charlotte.
Since so many of you have asked, “What can I do? How can I help?” The transplant surgery happened sooner that we expected, so right now the best way to help is probably through a fundraising campaign.
Enclosed you will find a financial justification letter from Duke. We are raising more than suggested as Duke doesn’t take into consideration “back home expenses,” loss of income from the caregiver (my wife has to be with me 24/7 which impacts her ability to work), and other pre and post surgeries outside of the actual transplant, etc. We appreciate each one of you so much. Your call-to-action has been so uplifting - by all the kind cards, calls and text messages that steadily come like waves of encouragement. So many have just sent checks, dropped cash into our bank account or into ours hands, like we said…overwhelming kindness.
As we are in the hospital, starting the recovery process, we recognize that this is a life changing journey. A lot of work and a lot of change, but we embrace it and know that our challenges are the literal oxygen that fuels us toward our purpose, and we appreciate all of your support in getting us there.
To our family and friends who are a part of this fundraising team, we thank you. For all of the prayers that you have said, we thank you and urge you to continue to pray without ceasing as we do for all of you.
Love,
William and Sheila
GRIND x FAITH
A special account has been established for all contributions. If you’re more comfortable using Zelle or Cashapp you can contribute using the following email or Cashtag:
[email redacted]
$coachmac7
If you would like to forego the GoFundMe transaction fee, GoFundMe allows that option. Just select special and input $0 from the dropdown menu. You can also include any amount to support the GoFundMe platform.
Co-organizers (5)
William McNeely
Organizer
Charlotte, NC
Bruce Bellamy
Co-organizer
Dwanna McNeely
Co-organizer
Kim Anderson
Co-organizer
Sheila McNeely
Co-organizer