Help Arturo ("Taco") Heal After Life-Saving Double Lung Transplant

Our beloved dad, Arturo — affectionately known to many as “Taco” — has been courageously battling Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) since 2023. A devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend, he’s the kind of man who wears a tough exterior but has a warm, caring heart that makes everyone around him feel at home.

Before his diagnosis, Arturo was known for his incredible work ethic, spending long days in construction from sunrise to sunset without complaint. He dedicated much of his life to tough, demanding work — including the Deep Tunnel Sewer project in Oak Creek, where he worked nearly 300 feet underground and two miles beneath Lake Michigan. Day after day, he labored in extreme conditions, exposed to dust, chemicals, and asphalt fumes. We believe years of working in those harsh environments may have contributed to the lung disease that changed his life.

When he was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, doctors told him he might only have two to two and a half years to live. The news was devastating. The disease eventually forced him to retire from the work he loved — a heartbreaking change for a man who took such pride in providing for his family and never shied away from hard labor.

Despite everything, Arturo faced his illness with quiet strength, resilience, and his signature humor. When he wasn’t working, he loved fixing up cars, expanding his tool collection, watching WWE (and passionately debating the matches), and making his famous tacos, enchiladas, and homemade hot sauces. He also loved spending time with his family and his daughter’s German Shepherd, Cash.

Most of all, he cherished coming home to his wife, Holly, whom he adores. Their love and partnership have been the heart of our family through every high and low.

Over the years, the illness slowly took away the simple joys he loved most. In 2023, he was placed on the lung transplant list at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. When their transplant program unexpectedly closed, we were devastated. Starting over at UW Health in Madison meant redoing every test, navigating new insurance challenges, and facing months of uncertainty. It was an emotional rollercoaster, but our dad never gave up.

Then, on October 17th, we received the call that changed everything — a donor match was found, and Arturo successfully received a double lung transplant. We are endlessly grateful to the donor and their family for this selfless gift of life, and to the entire UW Health transplant team for their exceptional care.

Arturo’s recovery journey is just beginning. While he’s showing hopeful signs of healing, the road ahead requires intensive aftercare, frequent follow-ups, and temporary relocation to Madison. As a family, we’re putting everything on hold to be by his side — taking time off work, traveling back and forth, and arranging housing near the hospital for several months.

More than anything, we’re filled with hope for what lies ahead — for our dad to breathe freely again, to come home, and to experience the milestones he’s fought so hard to reach. We dream of the day he’ll hold his first grandson in his arms — something we once feared might never happen. Thanks to this life-saving transplant, that dream now feels within reach.

Arturo has always been there for those he loves — now we want to be there for him. We’re asking for your support during this crucial time. Whether it’s a donation, a prayer, or simply sharing this page, every gesture means the world to us.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting our dad’s journey toward healing and a second chance at life.

With love and gratitude,


Arturo’s Family ❤️

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