Dear friends and donors, Sam has had some personal and medical changes that are now making it an impossibility for our trip for treatment in Thailand. We want to thank all who gave from the heart to help us try to take advantage of this opportunity. Please know that GoFundMe refund requests have already been submitted and you should begin to receive your refunds within 3-7 days. Please know that we are so grateful that you cared enough to share, to pray (which we hope you will continue doing), and to help our cause. Sam’s battle isn’t over. We now must move toward a double-lung transplant. Please lift Sam up to our Rapha Father in hope that a new donor will be in God’s plan to help my husband breathe.

My name is Kimberly. My husband James (Sam), is fighting Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) — a rare, progressive, and terminal lung disease that causes permanent scarring of the lungs. “Idiopathic” means there is no known cause. Stem cell transplant for IPF using human umbilical cord messenchymal stem cells has not yet been approved for standard treatment in the United States, though it has been available in some clinical trials.

IPF is stealing Sam’s ability to breathe. Everyday activities are becoming exhausting. Simple things — walking, talking, sleeping are becoming a struggle. Right now the only option available to Sam in the U.S. is a double lung transplant. This is only open when you are sick enough to be deemed in dire need, healthy enough to undergo surgery, and also able to wait long enough for a donor.

Time is of the essence when preventing the progression of IPF and seeking a cure for the damage to the lungs that's already happened.

He is currently doing everything possible to stay strong — losing weight, attending pulmonary rehab, and working closely with doctors — but time is not on his side.

Why Thailand?

The hospital that Sam has chosen has successfully treated patients for 16 years using human umbilical cord messenchymal stem cell transplants with a success rate of curing symptoms of 70%.

This treatment is not experimental hope without thought — it is a carefully considered option after extensive research, consultation, and prayer. While no treatment can promise or guarantee a cure, this therapy offers something incredibly important to us:

Hope. More time. A chance.

Why Sam Needs Help

The total cost for treatment, travel, lodging, and medical care in Thailand is well over $75,000 we are trying to raise. Unfortunately, this treatment is not covered by insurance, and even though we will be paying a big portion, the cost is far beyond what our family can manage alone.

The stem cell amount needs to be paid in full by Sam and I to the lab before they start cultivating the cells for use. It can take up to 6 weeks to prepare the cells so our payment needs to be made no later than the end of December or beginning of January.

I am not asking lightly. We both have always worked hard, provided for our family, and tried to help others whenever possible. But this disease has humbled both of us, and we now find ourselves needing help in return.

How Funds Will Be Used

    •    Stem cell treatment using umbilical cord stem cells

    •    Medical evaluations and follow-up care

    •    International travel and extended lodging (approximately 1 month)

    •    Required medical supervision during treatment

From Sam’s Heart

“I don’t know what tomorrow holds — but I do know that giving up is not an option. This treatment represents a chance to slow this disease, improve the quality of my life, and continue being here for my beloved wife, my children, and my grandchildren.”

From Kim’s Heart

My husband is a proud man… one who helps others whenever he can. He has a hard time asking anyone for help and so this time I am asking for him. I love this man more than life itself and wish I could take this illness from him. We were high school sweethearts and we are only in our 50’s. He is too young to go! This treatment in Thailand has been miraculous for many… I pray that we will be able to raise enough money to make it there and give him a chance at that miracle!

If you are able to donate, share, or simply say a prayer, please know that it means more than words can express. Every contribution — no matter the size — brings us closer to this opportunity.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for being part of our prayer team and this fight.

With gratitude,

Kimberly (and Sam) Luppino