***11-7-24 UPDATE: A LUNG HAS BEEN FOUND! On his way to Cleveland as I type this...Please pray and thank you all for the donations.

Hello friends and family. My name is Deanna and I am starting this Gofundme for my Uncle Rick. (Richard Malek). He has Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and needs a lung transplant. He actually need both lungs, but can only have surgery for one a time with a future surgery depending on the outcome of the initial surgery.

He was diagnosed in August 2019 and recently has been added to the transplant list. When a lung is found and is a match, he has to take a special flight to Cleveland, OH within hours to have the surgery immediately. After the surgery he has to stay in Cleveland for approximately 2-3 months. The medical costs and housing expenses in total will be significant. My uncle is a fighter. He has had mutiple surgeries in the past- (a few related to cardiac and orthopedic). Rick has a love for the outdoors and being active. He has young grandchildren with another on the way due in February. During my father's illness, my uncle was a huge support to him and my family. Following the passing of my father, my uncle has stepped up and has been like a second father to all of us. He has always been one to help others when in need and any donation is appreciated and I know he will be forever grateful. Thank you!