Ron's Lung Transplant Support

Hello, we are fundraising for my father, Ron Gabriel. Some of you may know Ron personally very well, others may know of him only through the many stories I and my siblings have told throughout the years. For those of you who do know Ron, you probably understand that he has been a warrior throughout his life. He has been someone who has faced grueling challenges head-on, always determined, a consummate athlete, and without a doubt, someone who has always gotten back up on his horse when he's fallen off.

Now, Ron faces his greatest challenge yet. About 5 years ago Ron was diagnosed with Terminal Pulmonary Fibrosis, a disease that slowly deteriorates the lungs. Throughout these last few years, Ron has fought this disease with the same grit he had from his days of being a top Thoroughbred Jockey throughout the Midwest, always believing that long-shots were not to be discarded.

However, in the past year, the odds have became overwhelming, and the disease has accelerated, leaving him on permanent supplemental oxygen. Ron continues to fight, determined to keep the rest of his body as healthy as possible, literally training while attached to an oxygen tank. And by the grace of God, he was accepted into the lung transplant program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he is now at the top of the list.

Any day now, my father will get a call to immediately head to the hospital to receive a new lung, thanks to the blessing of an organ donor. He will then be faced with another grueling battle, the recovery. Unfortunately, all of Ron's children live thousands of miles away. While we will all be assisting him during his months'-long recovery process, we are asking for financial support for medical bills, loss of work, and home-health care nurses. Any amount you can contribute is deeply appreciated.

Thank you,

Dominic, Jason, Erin, Adam, Alex + 8 grandchildren.