Gary Witham Lung Transplant Fund
Donation protected
After being sick for two weeks with what was thought of as an upper respiratory infection, Gary Witham was diagnosed in April 2018 with Interstitial Lung Disease/Pulmonary Fibrosis. There are drugs to possibly slow the disease, but will not cure it. The only cure is a lung transplant.
After going thru the consultation phase and 3 additional days of medical testing, Gary was placed on a lung transplant list on July 20, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Doctors would prefer a double lung transplant, but if Gary's health declines, they will consider a single lung transplant. He is on continuous oxygen and is attending pulmonary rehab twice a week while waiting for a call. Doctors say he is an excellent candidate for a potentially successful transplant due to his health being good (in spite of the need for oxygen) for the time being.
He is married to Jennifer Higgins Witham and has two daughters. He has been a machinist for almost 40 years with 31 years being at Spirit Aerosystems/Boeing. He has been unable to work since the onset of this disease. The funds raised will assist Gary and the family with out of pocket expenses related to the disease and eventual transplant.
They currently have medical insurance, but has an out of pocket max to meet before it fully pays. In addition, travel, lodging and food when transplant occurs will have to be paid upfront and will not be fully reimbursed by insurance.
Once a transplant is complete and Gary is released from the hospital, Gary will have to stay in Oklahoma City for 2 weeks to 3 months following the transplant. In addition, many return trips will be made for follow up visits months after the transplant and medication costs for Gary will rise due to the regimen he will be on following the transplant.
A local, hometown fundraiser on October 13, 2018 from 11 am to 2 pm at the Knights of Columbus in Wellington, KS will also be held to assist the family. It will consist of a dinner, bake sale and a silent auction of some fabulous donated gifts! An abundance of food has already been donated and we are still collecting donations for the silent auction items.
After going thru the consultation phase and 3 additional days of medical testing, Gary was placed on a lung transplant list on July 20, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Doctors would prefer a double lung transplant, but if Gary's health declines, they will consider a single lung transplant. He is on continuous oxygen and is attending pulmonary rehab twice a week while waiting for a call. Doctors say he is an excellent candidate for a potentially successful transplant due to his health being good (in spite of the need for oxygen) for the time being.
He is married to Jennifer Higgins Witham and has two daughters. He has been a machinist for almost 40 years with 31 years being at Spirit Aerosystems/Boeing. He has been unable to work since the onset of this disease. The funds raised will assist Gary and the family with out of pocket expenses related to the disease and eventual transplant.
They currently have medical insurance, but has an out of pocket max to meet before it fully pays. In addition, travel, lodging and food when transplant occurs will have to be paid upfront and will not be fully reimbursed by insurance.
Once a transplant is complete and Gary is released from the hospital, Gary will have to stay in Oklahoma City for 2 weeks to 3 months following the transplant. In addition, many return trips will be made for follow up visits months after the transplant and medication costs for Gary will rise due to the regimen he will be on following the transplant.
A local, hometown fundraiser on October 13, 2018 from 11 am to 2 pm at the Knights of Columbus in Wellington, KS will also be held to assist the family. It will consist of a dinner, bake sale and a silent auction of some fabulous donated gifts! An abundance of food has already been donated and we are still collecting donations for the silent auction items.
Organizer
Jennifer Higgins Witham
Organizer
Wellington, KS
