David, Lung Transplant Recipient

In Remembrance of David, who passed away Aug. 29, 2007

David was able to have a fairly normal childhood, except for the treatments he needed for Cystic Fibrosis. "I worked for 13 years as a paramedic until I became so short of breath I could no longer work," David acknowledged.

He was placed on the lung transplant list in September 1997 and was able to receive a double lung transplant 4 months later. "I have been able to correspond with the family of my donor. I am very thankful to them." Now David can participate in outdoor activities he could not do before, such as hiking and skiing.

David remembers his older brother, Doug, who died when he was 25 from Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 19. "Doug did not have the option of getting a transplant, at that time lung transplants were in their infancy, the outcomes were not good."

David was able to return to work within 6 months of his transplant. Two years ago he moved back to New Mexico to work as an Organ Coordinator for New Mexico Donor Services. "I know I'm making a difference for organ donors, their families and patients awaiting life-saving transplants," he stated.