For the past year, my dad has been fighting for every single breath. His lung function has declined so severely that he now depends on high-flow oxygen 24 hours a day just to stay alive. After countless tests, hospital visits, and specialist consultations, his medical team at Duke Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, has confirmed that his only chance at survival is a double lung transplant.

He has been diagnosed with COPD, Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), and Pulmonary Fibrosis, a devastating combination that has slowly taken away his independence and his ability to do even the simplest things. Walking across a room is exhausting. Breathing is a constant battle. Yet through it all, he has never stopped fighting.

My dad is our only parent left. Losing him is a reality we are being forced to face far too soon. More than anything, he wants to stay here, to watch his grandchildren, Magnus and Miabella, grow up, to meet his grandchild arriving this June, and to be present for the future milestones that matter most. He deserves the chance to be the grandfather they know and remember, not one taken from them too early.

This next step offers hope, but it also comes with overwhelming financial and logistical demands. Duke requires my dad to relocate to the Durham area immediately to begin the transplant process, which includes:

Pre-transplant pulmonary rehabilitation (2–4+ weeks)

The transplant surgery and extended hospital stay

Months of intensive post-transplant follow-ups and monitoring

All of this must happen away from home, far from work, family, and stability.

Even with insurance, the costs are staggering. This fundraiser will help cover:

Housing near Duke Hospital for the duration of the transplant process

Transportation expenses for my brother and me as his full-time caregivers

Medical costs not fully covered by insurance, including medications, co-pays, and travel

Daily living expenses while he recovers far from home

We are asking for help because time is critical. This transplant is not optional; it is lifesaving. Every donation and every share helps bring my dad one step closer to breathing on his own again.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting our family during the hardest fight of our lives. Your kindness, prayers, and generosity are giving my dad hope—and the chance at the future he is fighting so hard to reach.