Regina Courtney is one of the most positive, compassionate, and empathetic people you will ever meet. She works on an inpatient leukemia unit at a Cancer Center in Houston, TX as a patient services coordinator - the one who sets the tone, the face of the unit. She is always smiling, sending words of encouragement, and spreading positive vibes. If you didn’t see her struggle to breathe while holding a conversation or her attached to her oxygen tank 24/7 you would never begin to guess what she’s been going through for the past 7 years.

Regina has been battling an interstitial lung disease that has destroyed her lungs. Things were manageable for a while but in the recent months, the disease progressed very quickly. Because of this, she and her medical team decided she had no other option but to be put on a transplant list for a new set of lungs. 

She was told it could take 1-3 months to get the call; Unbeknownst to all, it only took a couple of days.

She underwent a very invasive surgery and got her new lungs! 

She is now well on her way through the recovery process. She is hopeful, determined, and grateful. The projected recovery time post-lung transplant is approximately 3-6 months. She is working with PT/OT, following up with her doctors, and pushing herself every day to get stronger. One of the first things she said to me after having the surgery is “I will not ruin this rare opportunity. Someone gave me a second chance at life.”

Although this is all amazing news, due to the extensive recovery process, she is unable to work and has run out of leave. If you are at a place where you can, please consider donating to help with her recovery. If not, all of your thoughts and prayers mean the world to her, so please sent positive messages her way!

Thank you!