OUR STORY:

Hello everyone, my name is Laura Barnes and I have been married to my wonderful husband, Freedom Barnes, for 21 years this April. We have a 20-year-old son together named Tristan. Over the last 2 1/2 years, Freedom has struggled with Interstitial Lung Disease, Sarcoidosis, Pneumoconiosis, Granulomatous, Chronic Respiratory Failure, and a Chronic Cough due to metal shavings in his lungs caused by a previous job that has gone out of business. He is on oxygen full-time, but that is no longer enough. This lung disease is deadly, and the doctors are giving him 1 1/2 to 2 years life expectancy. The doctors have told us Freedom will need to get a double lung transplant to save his life. Freedom is fighting for his life and struggles to breathe just walking through the house. He rarely leaves home at this point. It is devastating watching someone you love's health decline every day.

FREEDOM'S COST OF SURVIVAL:

We are thankful for the team we will have at Emory and are putting all our faith in them. However, this is not just about surviving a double lung transplant; it is a financial nightmare. While Freedom has insurance to help pay for some of the surgical aspects of this journey, we will need a lot of help in other areas. Some areas will quickly become a burden that we have to deal with while trying to be positive to help Freedom get through this procedure and his recovery. Emory requires a transplant recipient to have a team of caregivers with them at all times. Tristan and I will have to put our lives on hold to provide Freedom with the care that he needs and Emory requires. We live over 2 hours from Emory, but they require you to relocate to Atlanta within 6 miles of the hospital for a minimum of 4 months during and right after the transplant.

WHY WE ARE ASKING FOR $20,000:

Tristan and I are required to be with Freedom and out of work during this time. To start, Emory requires that you have $5,000 saved up before they will put you on the transplant list. Another major problem is, bills don't stop coming, and living in Atlanta for 4 months is not free. This is why we are asking for $20,000:

• Required $5,000 in savings for listing

• Relocation cost:

4 months stay in Atlanta

• Medical Co-pays:

We were told anti-rejection medication can cost $2,000 a month out of pocket even with insurance

• Basic Needs:

4 months of food for Tristan and me, plus Freedom once he leaves the hospital, gas for traveling to and from the hospital, and other appointments

• Bills Back Home:

Car payment, insurance, phones, saving for relocation when we return home (up to hospital standard for new lungs)

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Freedom has fought this disease with everything he has, but his time is running out. Without the double lung transplant, he will not be with us much longer. He has to stay strong to continue to fight. Unfortunately, we cannot do this alone. The financial burden is too great. We are asking our family, friends, and community to help us fill in these gaps. Please consider donating to save Freedom's life by helping him afford his new lungs. This is his only chance at survival. Donating will help ensure that we meet all Emory's requirements, including requiring caregivers to be able to be by his side every step of the way. This will help ease our minds so Freedom can focus on being strong enough for the surgery and the months that come after without worrying about the financial issues. If you cannot give, please share. Thank you; your support means everything to us. Don't forget to share and keep our family in your prayers during this time.