Help us save my dad’s life

My dad, Mike Bennett has been bravely battling Stage 4 Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease as a result of 45+ years working in the window and door business, coming in contact with pathogens such as mold, fungus, and construction dust that attacked his lungs causing devastating damage. In July of 2021 when he was hospitalized for double pneumonia, it was discovered how serious his lung condition was. He was put on oxygen from that moment on and has never been taken off. Many medications were given to him to try and take down the inflammation, including chemo, but then he was faced with numerous life threatening blood clots on both lungs in December of 2021. My dad’s health took a drastic turn for the worse. He still managed to go to work and continue managing his window and door business. In the past year his health has rapidly declined to needing higher amounts of oxygen. His doctors told us his only option to save his life is a double lung transplant. In June of 2022 my dad began screening for a Double Lung Transplant at The Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, OH. In the past weeks my dad’s lungs have worsened. His oxygen levels drop to extremely low levels just when he takes a few steps. My dad will not survive unless he receives his transplant very soon. His wonderful transplant team has expedited the remainder of his testing by admitting him at OSU to complete all that is still needed so that he can be placed on the National Transplant List. We have great hope that my dad will receive his new lungs, but sadly this also leaves my dad, a devoted father of 5, and grandfather of 3, husband to my mom, Randi for 42 years, facing significant challenges in recovery, both medically and financially. Insurance won’t cover all expenses. My dad is without a doubt, truly the most generous and hardworking person I have ever met. To think that all that he ever tried to do with his life was work hard to provide for his family, and as a result he was punished with an illness that has single handedly destroyed his health is absolutely heartbreaking. My dad is a small business owner who is present at all jobs, but he can no longer work until he is recovered. The toll of expenses from pre transplant, transplant and post care are, and will be extreme. My mom is the full time caregiver for my dad, and also for her 90 year old mother who lives with them. She will be relocating to Columbus during the months he will be hospitalized. The goal for this fundraiser is to raise money that will enable our family to offset part of the medical costs we have endured and will continue to face during this journey. My dad, my mom, and my 4 brothers and I are all involved in this help. With deep and sincere gratitude, Thank you. Please keep my dad, his surgeons, and our family in your prayers. ❤️