Rally for Joe: A Lung Transplant to Save His Life

A Breath of Hope: Helping Joe Ibarra Fight for His Life

Dear Friends, Family, and Compassionate Strangers,

My name is Joseph (JJ) Ibarra, eldest son to our beloved father, husband, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.

Joe Ibarra is facing a challenging battle with his health.

Earlier this year, my dad was diagnosed with a severe lung disease condition known as Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) which is rare lung disease that can lead to permanent lung scarring, also known as pulmonary fibrosis and urgently needs a single lung transplant to survive.

He has been on rehabilitation and oxygen therapy since April, which has drastically reduced his overall physical activity. His strength and resilience are not surprising for those who know my dad. My mom, Kathy, continues to be a strong and amazing loving spouse, supporting my dad during this difficult time. My brothers, Anthony, Frankie, and Mark have been tremendous support with our families.

Our dad has done everything in his power and energy trying to get added to the lung transplant list by enduring a number of tests and evaluations with Kaiser and UCSD. This has been a very grueling process.

A couple of months ago, UCSD denied the lung transplant option, but we never gave up and initiated a second opinion with UCLA shortly after.

On November 14, 2024, UCLA called and admitted him to Ronald Reagan Medical Center. For two weeks, while my mom and brothers by his side, he has gone through a number of additional tests and evaluations with UCLA's team of expert physicians (pulmonary, cardiologist, surgeons) expediting the process to submit his case for transplant list approval. UCLA Ronald Reagan staff of nurses, doctors and staff have been an amazing blessing!

On November 27, 2024, a new heart valve replacement procedure was successfully completed.

On November 28, 2024, we received a call from UCLA that he was added to the Lung Transplant List!

He will be required to stay at UCLA until a matching lung donor is available.

This life-saving procedure will require significant financial support to cover the costs of:

* Medical Expenses: Life-saving prescriptions and medical supplies. Insurance co-pays.

* Relocation Costs: Traveling to UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical transplant center and securing temporary housing near UCLA during and after the process for a minimum of 3-6 months. Housing requires close proximity to UCLA. A fully furnished small home is preferred to provide a comfortable and safe option. Daily and weekly medical appointments traveling to and from UCLA. Visits by nurses and specialists. Delivery of oxygen therapy equipment and tanks. The house will be occupied by my dad, mom, myself, my brothers, and/or family temporarily during and post-surgery for an undefined number of months. Estimated costs of $2500 - $3000/month near UCLA.

* Living Expenses: Covering daily living costs (utilities, food, gas, etc.) for our family while being relocated.

Every donation, no matter how small, will bring us closer to giving our father Joe a second chance at life. Your generosity will not only help fund his medical journey but also provide immense emotional support to our family during this difficult time.

Please consider donating and sharing this campaign with your friends and family.

If you know my dad he has always been there or done anything for anyone without asking why. If you needed something he said YES!

Together, we can make a difference and help Joe breathe easy once again.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

The Ibarra Family and Friends