As many of you know, my brother has Cystic Fibrosis and is currently awaiting a Double Lung and Liver transplant. Today, he was recipient of the Union Bank Magic Moments contests and my family did some local media interviews after the event. Here is a link to a local news story.
http://www.klkntv.com/story/24149467/magic-moments-day-2

And I haven't asked for donations, but if you would like to donate to his post operation fund, here is the link to his Children's Organ Transplants Association fundraising page:
http://cota.donorpages.com/PatientOnlineDonation/COTAforShaunM/

Thanks for posting, dude. Can't be an easy thing for a family to go through.

I didn't know. Damn, man. I literally can't imagine.


Also, nice beard!

In an unimaginably difficult life, this is a really lovely positive.
I hope that it all shakes out for you and your brother and your family, Patrick.

Sorry to hear this Prom. Keep your head up. He seems like a great kid.

I put a few bucks into the coffers.

When is the operation?

sending some positive thoughts (yes, i do have positive thoughts) and a little somethin' somethin' your way.

It is yet to be determined. He just got listed for both organs and he is not on an active recipient list yet. His liver doctors are trying to get his MELD score higher, but he could get pretty much get a liver at any time. He really needs the new lungs, but they would prefer that he gets a new liver first.
I plan on relocating to the Denver area before or shortly after his transplant, since I would love to work in the brewing industry there and so I can maintain some sort of residence for him to stay at during visits. He needs to maintain residency in Nebraska, so his Medicare and Medicaid will cover the transplant. The fundraising is for his post-op care and the anti rejection meds that aren't covered by his insurance.

Thanks for any and all donations. I didn't expect much, since I haven't met anyone on this board, and I really appreciate the fact that people that have never met him in person are willing to donate their money to his cause.

Yeah, definitely appreciate you sharing this, Pat.

Update:
My brother climbed to the top of transplant list roughly two weeks ago and was on the verge of being relocated to Denver before he received a call about any organs being available until Monday. Then he was notified by his medical team on Wednesday that he was being removed from the active list for the time being due to some serious concerns about his immune system. He has been taking various forms of antibiotics fairly frequently most of his life and the various infections that currently plague his lungs are now resistant to antibiotic treatments. They are afraid that his body wouldn't be able to fight off any infections after the surgery, and are now going to see if they can synthesize some after studying his sputum or something like that.
He was clearly disheartened, since he was most likely only a few weeks to a few months from the operation, and now it could be never, but I think our family needed a little more time to raise all the money he needs in advance of the operation and to prepare ourselves for a sudden move to Denver.

I'm not sure how to respond to this other than to let you know that I am following your story with love and concern.
I hope that things turn out for the best for your brother and your whole family.
And, to reiterate what Bob said: thanks for sharing with us.

Shit, I hope everything turns out ok for your brother.

Saw this on FB and have been meaning to kick in. I just sent y'all something. I can't imagine how hard this is.

Man, that is just beyond awful. I really hope they're able to get this figured out, so he can get his transplant!

So very, very sorry my friend. Hope it turns back in his favor.