Breathe Easy: Kelly's Path to Healing

Help My Brother Kelly Breathe Again – Life-Saving Surgery Ahead

Hi, my name is Matthew, and I’ve had the honor of calling Kelly Freidin my best friend for over 30 years. He’s more than a friend—he’s my brother.

Kelly is a single father of four amazing kids, ages 9 to 16, and one of the most generous, hardworking people I know. He’s dedicated his life to helping others—especially children, veterans, and the elderly.

Years ago, Kelly partnered with Karen Johnson, founder of the Gibraltar Foundation, to promote youth wellness. Together, they built the first 1/8-mile track at Ivy Ranch Elementary in Oceanside and launched the Healthy Snacks & Tracks program to encourage fitness and nutrition among local students. Today, he continues to serve on the board of a nonprofit that supports underserved kids, seniors, and veterans.

Professionally, Kelly has spent over 20 years as a licensed contractor, building a reputation for hard work and integrity. But in the last year, as his health declined, he was taken advantage of by unethical clients and contractors, leaving him financially vulnerable right when he needed stability the most.

In summer 2023, Kelly nearly died from a severe case of pneumonia. That near-death experience led to a deeper investigation—and two life-altering diagnoses:

    •    Severe Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) – where his airways collapse when he exhales. https://www.bidmc.org/conditions-and-treatments/airway-breathing-and-lung/tbm

    •    Bronchiectasis – a permanent lung disease that leaves him highly susceptible to chronic infections

Since that diagnosis, Kelly has had pneumonia 12 times in just the past 18 months.

In the last 3 months alone, he’s made 28 trips from San Diego to UCLA for specialized care—undergoing testing, procedures, and evaluations with one of the top thoracic teams in the country. He’s now preparing for a robotic tracheobronchoplasty, a high-risk but potentially life-saving surgery scheduled in a few weeks.

He’s too sick to work. He’s fighting every day just to breathe. And as a single dad, the weight of supporting his kids, covering medical costs, and managing day-to-day expenses is crushing.

Yet even now, Kelly is still thinking of others. He’s selling personal items on eBay, donating a portion to CureTBM, and making plans to return to school so he can become a medical or educational advocate for children facing life-threatening conditions.

Kelly has always shown up for everyone else. Now, he needs us to show up for him.

If you can contribute—no matter how small—or simply share this story, it would mean the world. Your support will go toward medical bills, transportation, housing, insurance, and helping Kelly stay strong for the most important fight of his life.

Let’s help Kelly breathe again—and get back to the purpose he’s always lived for.

With gratitude,

– Matthew