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~ Update: We have incredible news — my dad is officially on the lung transplant list!!
We are overwhelmed with gratitude, relief, and hope. This is a huge milestone in his journey and truly a second chance at life. None of this would feel possible without the love, generosity, and support we’ve received from all of you. Thank you for every donation, share, message, and prayer. It means more than words can express.
Now, this is where the real work begins. Being on the transplant list means we must be fully prepared to relocate to Vancouver for his recovery when the call comes. We are working hard to crunch numbers, save every dollar, and make sure he can heal properly without the added stress of financial strain.
Every penny truly counts. Every share matters. Every bit of support brings us closer to being ready when that life-changing phone call comes.
From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for standing with us.
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Help My Dad Breathe Again — Support His Double Lung Transplant Journey
A Father Worth Fighting For
Hello,
My name is Aerianna McGhie. I am a loving daughter who has always had the greatest dad in the world — a man who wasn’t scared of anything and whose strength and love shaped my life. Over the past years, I’ve faced the fear of losing him — first to illness, then to the weight of depression that came with it.
For decades, my dad has been the definition of hard work and sacrifice. He spent countless months away from home, enduring long hours and harsh conditions to give his family the best life possible. Every moment he missed — birthdays, holidays, milestones — was a choice made from love. His hands built our future, and his sacrifices gave us everything we have today.
But the very work that provided for us has now taken a devastating toll. After years of exposure to toxic chemicals, my dad was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Once strong and unstoppable, he now struggles to climb a single flight of stairs without losing his breath. Watching someone so full of strength and pride become dependent on oxygen and medication has been heartbreaking.
A Second Chance at Life
As his condition worsened, hope began to fade — until one phone call changed everything. His doctor told him he is an eligible candidate for a double lung transplant. It was the miracle we had prayed for — a second chance at life.
A chance for my father and my sons’ Opi (Grandpa) to breathe freely again — to laugh, to walk beside his six grandchildren, to hug his wife without gasping for air.
I’ve moved provinces to support him — offering financial and physical help because I know how vital he is to our family, especially to my two sons and my mother, who all rely on him. Now, seeing my father receive a second chance fills me with hope, gratitude, and determination. He is so young, with so much life left to live, so many lessons left to teach, and so much love left to give.
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Why We Need Help
The BC Lung Foundation explains that while the medical costs of a transplant are covered by the provincial health plan, the travel, housing, and living expenses for patients and caregivers are not.
BC Lung Foundation – https://bclung.ca/lung-health/lung-transplant/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Patients must prove they can financially sustain themselves during recovery BEFORE being placed on the transplant list — which is why funding is critical. Without it, patients like my dad face a devastating choice: give up their chance at life or take on crushing financial strain.
Supporting Evidence
Vancouver Is Awesome reported that:
-Rural British Columbians face major hardship traveling to Vancouver for transplant care.
-Affordable accommodation is extremely difficult to find on short notice.
-Many must stay in Vancouver for months, spending around $44,600 out of pocket, largely on housing.
Read the full article https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/highlights/bc-out-of-pocket-health-care-costs-can-drive-some-into-poverty-ubcm-vancouver-9532626?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Global News shared the story of a woman in B.C. who was told she must prove she could afford 3–6 months of post-surgery living costs in Vancouver — estimated between $35,000 and $55,000 — or be removed from the transplant list.
Read the full article
The BC Rural Health Network also reports that a three-month stay in Vancouver can cost $20,000–$30,000, even on a modest budget.
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How Funds Will Be Used?
✈️ Travel Expenses: Transportation to and from Vancouver for pre-surgery appointments, surgery, recovery, and follow-up visits.
Accommodations: Safe, clean housing within 10–15 km of Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) during recovery (estimated $99–$150 per day).
️ Meals and Daily Living Costs: Supporting proper nutrition and basic needs during 3–6 months (or longer) of recovery.
Medical Supplies and Medications: Covering equipment, prescriptions, and supplies not fully covered by insurance.
❤️ Family Support: Helping cover occasional family visits to provide encouragement and emotional strength throughout his recovery.
Yes there are Grants you can apply for but unfortunately this is not a guarantee. We will apply and exhaust all our options.
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Every Contribution Matters
Every donation, no matter the size, helps lift the financial burden so my dad can focus on what truly matters — healing and living.
Your kindness and generosity are giving my father — and our entire family — the greatest gift of all:
A second chance at life.
God bless and thank you.
Organizer
