Garin Josey and his father help to establish a support legacy.
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For nearly a decade, Garin Josey stood by feeling helpless as he watched his father, Dennis Josey, grow sicker. "It was only when my father was recommended for a lung transplant did father and son have hope of brighter days ahead. Today's it's been six years since Dad got new lungs. We are both grateful. And we're both determined to re-pay our good fortune," said Garin. A major donor to the initiative, learn how Garin is helping his father establish a lasting patient support legacy . Read more
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Our Story. Meet co-founders Dennis, Bob and Darcy.
Familiar with the hardships of the lung transplant journey from their first-hand lung experience, Dennis, Bob and Darcy co-founded Lung Transplant Housing Support (LT Housing Support) in late 2020 to ensure BC lung transplant patients and caregivers in financial crisis have a place to turn. One hundred per cent of funds raised are re-distributed directly to patients and caregivers.
Dennis Josey, COPD Survivor &
Lung Transplant Recipient |
Bob Mellor, IPF Survivor &
Lung Transplant Recipient |
Darcy Murdoch, IPF Survivor &
Lung Transplant Recipient |
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"For patients who reside outside Vancouver, a lung transplant eligibility requirement is relocating near VGH for a minimum of three months for post-transplant care. Dennis said, "The cost of maintaining two homes – a patient’s permanent residence outside Vancouver and a temporary home near VGH – adds up fast. For some, it’s an impossibility.”
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"Remember, by the time a patient gets the call that donor lungs are available and surgery is imminent, their health is failing, they can no longer work and they’re drawing on financial reserves. Patients are understandably at a crisis point," said Bob. "The mission of LT Housing Support is to relieve what pressures we can. Addressing the unaffordability of temporary housing and living costs made sense."
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"When we first imagined the LT Housing Support fund just over a year ago, we reached out to BC's lung transplant community. Thanks to the generosity of our first 100 Founding Contributors - many of whom are lung transplant candidates, recipients and caregivers - we have already provided financial help to nine patients and caregivers in need," said Darcy. "Going forward our plan is to expand our fundraising reach to ensure a lasting legacy of lung transplant housing support."
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