Support Sam Weido's Life-Saving Lung Transplant

In November 2024, our family received word that our Daddy, Sam Weido, would need a bilateral lung transplant.

When we started this journey in 2021, we initially thought the onset of breathing problems, coughing, and extreme fatigue our Dad was experiencing stemmed from sinus issues, but after an exhaustive 2 year battle of pursuing that avenue, it was evident it was something more. Next on the list was his lungs. Our Dad has had asthma since he was a child, but as an adult he is able to control it with medication. Although our Dad had not had any asthma attacks since childhood, he was referred to a pulmonologist in Houston to see if his lungs could be the reason his health was continuing to decline. After multiple visits and numerous tests, Dad’s pulmonologist in Houston decided the best course of action would be to work with some of the top pulmonologists at the National Jewish Health Center lung institute in Denver, Colorado. After several years and multiple trips to Denver for appointments, follow-up visits, and endless testing, we finally got our answers. Dad has been diagnosed with diffused-pan bronchiolitis and bronchiectasis. Both conditions are rare and his doctors have no idea how he developed them. The diagnoses are incurable, meaning all that can be done is try to manage the symptoms. After a lengthy trial and error of meds, breathing treatments, and therapy, Dad’s doctors decided the best course of action is a bilateral lung transplant. A bilateral lung transplant will change all of that. It will offer our Dad the quality of life he deserves and the ability to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Most importantly, it will allow him the opportunity to spend more time with us and witness the many important life milestones still to come.

After visiting with the transplant team at Houston Methodist Hospital, we were told Dad will have to relocate to Houston for at least six months, possibly up to a year. This is not a request. It is a mandatory requirement to be a transplant recipient. Should an infection, rejection, or other medical condition occur, Dad needs to be within close proximity to Houston Methodist. In addition to our Dad relocating to Houston, our Mom will have to accompany him, as he has to have a caretaker.

Both our parents taking extended time off from work (hoping they are able to keep their jobs) and relocating to Houston has created an unexpected financial hardship. Although our Dad has always taught us to prepare for rainy days, nothing could have prepared us for this. Financial hardship or not, we refuse to let anything stand in the way of our Dad getting the bilateral lung transplant he needs to live.

In January of 2025, Dad was officially approved for the Transplant List and all that was left to do was wait for “The Call”! Fast forward to Friday, March 14th, after 32 days on the list, we got that call and Mom and Dad headed down to Houston Methodist to get checked in. The next day, Dad went back for surgery around 8:30 AM and was out around Noon. Now the real work begins with the recovery process.

So, after numerous family and friends suggested starting a GoFundMe, here we are. Any and all contributions will go directly to help offset any costs associated with lodging in Houston, food, gas, and anything not covered by insurance.

Dad has always been our rock, a constant source of love, laughter, and guidance. He taught us the importance of hard work, kindness, and perseverance. Now it is our turn to show him that it is because of those lessons that we will stop at nothing to support him.