Update:

Since we launched this fundraiser for the Drake family, Mike has peacefully joined the Angels. We still want to support Mike's family in any way possible. Thank you!

Many of you know the Drake family from Oregon, WI. Mary Huber-Drake has been an educator in McFarland Schools for over 25 years. Mike Drake is retired from a career with MGE. Their children, Connor, graduated from Oregon High School and Karina, is currently a junior in Oregon. Mike has been going through many health struggles over the past year and it is now time to ask for financial help for this family.

In January of 2023, Mike was referred to the University of Wisconsin Hospital for pulmonary issues. His lung function tests continued to decline even with medication. A connection was made in March with a UW pulmonary doctor who recommended that Mike meet with the lung transplant team. Since Mike had a bone marrow transplant 23 years ago, the testing for a transplant approval took a long time but on August 8 the family found out a lung was available. On August 9th Mike had a new lung. Since the transplant there have been many complications with numerous trips to the clinic and hospital stays for pneumonia and rejection. On October 30 MIke was admitted to the hospital for a third time and he is still hospitalized. Due to the steroids and med combinations, doctors have struggled to figure out how to keep Mike’s immune system from attacking his daily infusions. The doctors called it Steroid Myopathy, where the extremities are difficult to move due to high doses of steroids. Mike has been supported with oxygen and has struggled with muscle strength. Most recently, fluid gathered around Mike’s lungs and his kidneys began to fail leading to the need for dialysis.

It has been a long battle for Mike and his loving family. He recently decided with faith and strength to stop medical treatments and move into comfort care.

The funds raised here will help the Drake family cover medical expenses not covered by insurance and any other costs moving forward.

Any amount you are willing to contribute would be greatly appreciated. If you aren’t able to contribute at this time, please pass this on to other people in our community.

Thank you!

Colleagues and Friends of the Drake Family