My Dad was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis around 6 to 7 years ago. In the last two years the disease has progressed, he even had one of his lungs collapse during a biopsy in 2022. Now as of 2024 it is to the point where my dad was diagnosed with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension with right side heart failure.  The doctors gave him around 1 year at most to live, unless he gets a double lung transplant. My dad found out shortly after  his 61st birthday in January.  Imagine being told around your birthday that it might be the last birthday you will ever have.  It's already hard for us to know we might lose our dad and my mom her other half, but we can't even begin to imagine what he is feeling.

Both of my parents are on disability (in Wisconsin). My dad had a back surgery in 2006 and again with a hip bone graft with lumbar decompression and fusion in 2012 where the lasting pain and effects, with permanent nerve damage in his leg, left him unable to work much less stand or walk for periods of time and my mom has been battling the end stages of an autoimmune disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis. Since they are on Medicare (Part A and B), only 80% of the estimated $1.9 to $2.5 million will be covered and our family can't afford to pay for another supplemental insurance. We also don't qualify for Badgercare or medigap because of my dad's disease, he isn't 65 years old, and our family's gross income is too high to qualify. So without a supplemental insurance or a way to pay the 20% ($500,000 to $600,000 at least), the hospital in Madison can' t even begin the evaluation process for this literal LIFE-SAVING operation.  And Medicare part A and B doesn't even cover the vaccinations that my dad needs to have up to date to qualify for the surgery either. 

We desperately need help for my dad to begin this journey and then for other related costs for the surgery and aftercare including the hospital stay, medications and vaccinations, doctor's appointments, transportation costs, housing for my mom when he is in the hospital and home visits and probably more.

We want him to be able to see his future grandchildren.  We want him to see his son graduate Highschool. We want him to be here when he starts college.

Please. Any and all help would be one step closer to saving my dad.  The surgery alone will not only save, but also greatly improve his quality of life. We desperately don't want to lose him.