We are delighted to feature our sixth guest post, written by Russell DAbreu - a single lung recipient from Richmond Hill, Ontario. Russ is seen here celebrating his 10th milestone anniversary with his dear wife Linda and son Andrew and his kids and being able to join in birthday celebrations with his son, daughter and their families. In Russ's own words "It certainly is a BIG milestone for me and my family. I never expected that I would live to see an extra 10 years added to my life, all because of a selfless act by my donor and family".
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I was first diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in December 2010, when it became increasingly difficult to breathe and perform simple daily activities even with oxygen. I was listed for a lung transplant at TGH in September 2011.
It was in December of 2011 that I received the call and I could hardly talk just answering the phone, as the person from TGH said “we have a set of lungs for you”.
Those words are etched in my brain and so began my journey to a new “normal” life. It was a bittersweet moment because I knew it would be a chance to live longer but also knew that another family was grieving the loss of a loved one.
Our journey through this ordeal did not come without challenges BUT without the tireless support from my wife, kids, family, surgeons, doctors, nurses, therapists and support staff at TGH, I would not have been able to cope.
Such a selfless act of being an Organ Donor, is the primary reason my wife Linda and I decided to become volunteers with the Toronto Lung Transplant Civitan Club, advocates for Trillium Gift of Life Network and the TGH Lung Transplant Support Program.
In the past decade I have been blessed to witness both of our children marry, the birth of four precious grandchildren and travel to different places.
It is hard to believe that I was able to celebrate my 10th anniversary as a lung transplant recipient knowing that all those breaths are from the lung of a complete stranger. What a priceless gift to give to others - beadonor.ca