Hey everyone. This is Nick's husband Julien. Nick was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis since birth, and has been battling it for 29 years. In March of this year, he was hospitalized with only days before a complete organ failure, as we were fighting to obtain healthcare and immigration status in Canada for the past three years. On the morning of October 11th at 5am, we woke up with Nick being desaturated due to severe CO2 poisoning in his lungs, to the point where even the home oxygen was not sufficient. After a call to 911, he has been hospitalized in the ICU and placed in a drug induced coma while he was being stabilized and diagnosed.

Once it became clear that his right lung was completely destroyed by scar tissue, the medical team that has been following him since March asked for a transfer to the transplant hospital and be evaluated to be placed immediately on the emergency list for a double lung transplant. Nick was officially listed the following week, as I worked by his bedside the entire time. It took over two weeks to find a suitable donor, as Nick continued to fight for his life with the extraordinary help of the transplant team.

It has now been two months since his hospitalization began, and a month since the transplant. I have requested four months off of work to be by his side and help him mentally and physically recover as he will be hospitalized for an unknown period of weeks or months. Currently he is incapable of standing, let alone walk, type or work. His complete recovery is expected to take around a year. Nick is a freelance journalist in the entertainment industry, as well as a Twitch affiliate. He will obviously not be able to resume his activities for the next few months at least. As for myself, I am covered by a caregiver unemployment program that pays around 55% of my regular salary. As Nick will need me full time for the next few months, I cannot make up the difference with other work for the immediate future.

For these reasons, we come to you today with this fundraiser, to help us remain stable and afford our monthly bills consisting essentially of rent and groceries, as well as any medical expenses not covered by his newly acquired healthcare or my insurance. This transplant has been a true blessing and a real chance at a future together for the both of us, but it currently comes with its lot of challenges that requires the help of anyone who can share or tip in. We are extremely grateful for the gift that Nick has received, and for everyone who has been and continue to help us during these difficult but hopeful times.