Ron Lundquist's Double Lung Transplant Costs

For the last couple of years, Ron Lundquist, the patriarch of our family, has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, living minute to minute with Interstitial Lung Disease. This means he has been measuring time with oxygen tanks tethered by a hose in his nose. We have been deeply saddened by this news and heartbroken watching our dad having to ride the brakes on his usually fast-paced life. As a family, we have been holding our breath and looking for any shred of hope.

We are incredibly grateful for the skilled doctors, the advancements in science, and the unwavering support of our community and your prayers during this time. As his disease has progressed, Ron has been working with the University of Utah as he considers the lung transplant route. Many tests have already been performed to ensure he is healthy enough for the surgery. He leaves this week for the University of Utah to finish up the last of his testing. Aside from his lung condition, he has no other significant health issues and is not on any other medications. We are anticipating that he will be placed on the list for a double lung transplant on January 21.

The doctors estimate that once placed on the list, he will likely have new lungs within 4-6 weeks due to the severity of his condition. Ron and Ramona will be moving from Boise, Idaho, to Utah in the next few weeks. They will need to rent a furnished house or apartment, and some of his children will rotate weekly as vital after-transplant caregivers to help Dad recover after the transplant. He will need to remain in Utah for 3-6 months post-transplant.

As Ron's children, we are reaching out to share our beloved dad's journey. This condition has significantly impacted his health, robbing him of the simple joys of life and the ability to participate in the adventures he has cherished for so long. Without a lung transplant, doctors estimate that Ron may have less than six months to live.

Ron has always been the person you call in the middle of the night—to find a lost hunter, change a flat tire, or be there for a friend who needs a listening ear. He’s a dedicated community member, a founding member of the Valley County Search and Rescue, an active member in various civic organizations, and tirelessly serving in dozens of positions in his religious community. Ramona has also served selflessly, donating time and resources to charities and supporting local needs. Ron and Ramona are loving parents and grandparents to six children and their spouses, 26 grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. As they face this critical moment, we want to rally our community to support Ron and Ramona.

There are several ways to support them in this process:

-Donate: If you can, every dollar helps; all donations directly contribute to their living expenses and medical costs beyond insurance, allowing them to focus on Ron's health without the added worry of financial strain.*

Rest assured, many of our resources also contribute to these costs. If you are interested in a means to donate that is tax deductible, please contact Kayla Rich

-Share: If you can't donate but are inclined to share this post, please do.

-Care: As a family, we have felt the love, concern, and prayers of those around us. Thank you for helping lift us during this difficult time. Any messages you leave with us will be shared with and cherished by Ron. He has so many people he calls friends; if you reach out to one of his kids, we can share them with him at appropriate times. He is actively packing and planning on limited energy for what lies ahead.

-Join Us. We also invite all who read this to join our family in a 24-hour fast starting Saturday, January 4th, to Sunday, January 5th. During this fast, we pray for Ron and Ramona and the doctors and specialists who make decisions about Ron's care. We would welcome your participation in any way that works for you.

Anyone who has met Ron knows his adventurous spirit, evident in his love for rappelling, whitewater rafting, camping, and jeeping. This disease has not only taken a toll on his physical health but has also limited his ability to breathe freely and experience life to the fullest. We are grateful that this surgery could potentially give Dad back years of his future and the chance to embrace the adventures he has loved throughout his life.

We hope to breathe a sigh of relief in the coming weeks and days as Ron pursues his best chance for his future. We will keep everyone updated on Ron's progress and the family’s journey through this process. Your support, whether through donations,sharing this campaign,or thoughtful words and prayer, means the world to us. Thank you for being a part of our lives and helping us support Ron during this challenging time. We are humbled and grateful for your generosity.

With heartfelt gratitude,

The Ron and Ramona Lundquist Family:

Kelsey and Travis Graybill

Kayla and Jason Rich

Travis and Tricia Lundquist

Tobias and Trinity Lundquist

Zetta and Spencer Simpson

Ciera and Shane McKeever

*In the event that Ron's bid for a transplant is not successful, all donations will be used towards final expenses of this terminal illness.