Help Kane Breathe Again: Support His Lung Transplant

Loving and beloved father, grandfather, husband, son, and friend to literally everyone he’s ever met, Kane Koby is a bright light of kindness in the world. If you know Kane, the first phrase that likely comes to mind when you think of him is probably nicest guy ever (second phrase might be something like shreds the guitar).

Kane would give you the shirt off his back, and I don't doubt that he’s actually done that at some point in his 62 years of befriending and helping people, even if with just a genuine smile, a solid handshake, and a too-long conversation at the grocery store.

But 62 years is too young for Kane to leave this Earth. That's why we’re rallying a community of support far and wide to pitch in and help him get two new lungs.

In the fall of 2020 Kane came down with a terrible cold, or so we thought at the time. This cold became pneumonia and over time his sickness worsened. We learned through this process that he has Pulmonary Fibrosis, an incurable, terminal lung disease. He was given 3-5 years to live.

Kane was managing this disease well for a while, working on the Snap On Truck with David and maintaining much of his usual energy tending to the homestead with his sweetheart Sara-Lynn in Wilmot, New Hampshire. As a family, we were managing this heart-breaking news as best we could, too.

Unfortunately, Kane's health has since declined dramatically. He’s had two collapsed lungs at separate times, a scary and painful process that required surgical intervention and week-long hospital stays.

Over the past 9 months in particular, Kane’s condition has worsened significantly. He no longer is able to go to work, is on an oxygen tank full time, and is wrestling with a new reality of living in pain every day and being severely incapacitated.

Though you might not know of his struggles if you called him on the phone, as more often than not Kane is in hopeful spirits, finding strength in his faith, his wife, and his community of support.

In the hopes of finding a path froward, Kane and Sara-Lynn sought additional medical support at Mass General Hospital.

They discovered something of a miracle - Kane is a candidate for two new lungs.

Though this is an incredible lifeline for Kane and our family in one of our darkest hours, the road is going to be long and arduous. While this double lung transplant has the potential to dramatically increase Kane’s quality of life and the years he has to spend with his family and friends, the procedure, recovery, and reality of life post-surgery will be full of challenges.

We don’t know when the surgery will be, but we will be planning for it to happen any time after the beginning of December. We do know that Kane will need full time care for several months after the surgery, and significant support beyond that.

If you know Kane, or are simply moved by his story, we ask that you contribute what you can to support him through this difficult time.

Your donation today will help cover several months of bills and expenses, providing critical financial support that will allow Kane, Sara-Lynn, and their community of support to focus on the healing journey ahead.

Raising these funds will not only help them with financial resources, but will also show them how much we all love them and lift their spirits.

Kane’s heart is larger than life and we want him to be around for a long time! Please pitch in what you can and help us spread the word.

Thank you so much for your care and love in this way. Our family is so grateful.

~Kane's Kids