Lung transplant for Sean Craig

For a little over 10 years, Sean "Keoni" Craig has  been a Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendant, Inflight Trainer and dear friend to many.  In  2015, Keoni was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a terminal lung disease in which scar tissue builds up in the lungs.  Since being diagnosed, Keoni has been working full time, adjusting his flying schedule to accommodate his multiple check-ups,  appointments and planning for the possibility of one day needing a lung transplant.  He remained optimistic and most importantly became an active advocate and supporter of others who was diagnosed with this same condition.  Recently, Keoni and others from his pulmonary support group lobbied Governor David Ige to proclaim September as Pulmonary Fibrosis  Awareness Month in Hawaii.  Successfully, on August 9, 2018 the proclamation was approved and signed.  September has been declared as Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month.

Keoni and his good friend and HA FA Ryan Sanico were on vacation celebrating Keoni’s birthday at his favorite place on earth – Disneyland when he began to have difficulty breathing and went into ER to get checked out. Within days his condition rapidly turned for the worse affecting his breathing and heart so much that he had an emergency surgery for an artificial lung and heart to rest his heart and help him breathe.  He was transported from UC Irvine Medical Center  to UCLA Medical Center for specialized treatment  and remains in ICU.  The hope is when his body is strong enough, he will be able to receive a lung transplant.  His family and closest friends are there with him at his side during this critical time.  Keoni has a long road ahead and while medical expenses are already very high, it will only continue to increase. In many of Keoni’s speaking engagements and interviews for Pulmonary Fibrosis he credits his source of support or like he says “his village” to helping him fight  through this disease and remain positive.  We are reaching out to everyone to share your prayers, positive energy and aloha for Keoni.