Richard Hood Lung Transplant

I’d like you to meet my husband and my best friend, Rick Hood. If you knew him you’d probably be his friend, too. Rick is a logger by trade, an avid hunter, and enjoys fishing and camping. He was born and raised in Vernonia, Oregon. Just a small town guy who played football and wrestled in high school and graduated in 1986. Rick could be any one of you working in the logging industry right now, logging is in his blood. Rick went to work for his dad’s logging company right out of school until his dad passed away. Rick then worked for his father-in-law until he got too sick to do so. This is a guy that isn’t afraid of hard work, loves the great outdoors and is not ready to give up; Rick is fighting for his life.

Rick was diagnosed with Alpha 1 Antitrypsin deficiency at age 38, he is now 51 years old. This is an inherited disorder that leads to the damage of various organs, especially the lungs and liver. Symptoms may become apparent at a very early age or anytime later, manifesting as shortness of breath, fatigue, internal bleeding, and several other debilitating symptoms. In Rick’s case, this disease has affected his lungs. Through no fault of his own, he has never smoked, he is now to the point of needing a lung transplant. Rick is on IV transfusions weekly and multiple medications to help him breathe, including oxygen. As you can imagine the last several years have been hard to take for a guy that loves the outdoors like Rick.

Thankfully, Rick is now in the process of being blessed by a lung transplant. Although, we have insurance it will not cover everything. Once Rick is called for the transplant and they have determined that he is a good fit, he will need to be in Seattle for several months. This includes, before, during recovery, and for 3 months after the transplant. Our family will still have to cover our living expenses in Vernonia, while paying for our living expenses in Seattle as Rick heals. We have been encouraged by the transplant team to raise funds because the expenses will be beyond what we might even imagine. That is why I’m here writing this letter to all of you.

We are asking and hoping that you will see Rick’s situation as worthy of a donation of any amount to help this outdoor loving guy get up on his feet and do the many things that he has been missing. Rick is not ready to give up on this life yet, and with your help maybe he won’t have to. If you feel it in your heart to help a fellow logger and outdoorsman out of a tough situation. 

This wife, our family, and many friends will be forever grateful for your kindness and generosity.
Thank You!

Sincerely,
Lisa Hood, wife of Rick Hood
Family